DRIVERS faced huge delays after a lorry crashed into a bridge and closed the M5 at Worcester for several hours.

The driver was taken to hospital after the crash, which took place just before 3pm yesterday (Monday).

The lorry hit the central reservation and was stuck under part of the bridge on the southbound carriageway of the M5 between junctions seven (Worcester/Evesham) and junction eight (M50/Ross-on-Wye/South Wales).

Miraculously, the HGV driver, who is in his 60s, only received minor leg injuries leg pain despite the impact of the crash destroying his cab.

But fears for motorists' safety saw both the north and southbound carriageways closed after the lorry hit the central reservation and potentially caused structural damage to the bridge.

Central Motorway Police Group tweeted: "[The] M5 is closed to ensure your safety, we are sorry for delays but your safety is paramount".

Hour-long queues built up as traffic stretched along the carriageways which also impacted on roads in Worcester which faced heavy traffic during rush hour.

The northbound carriageway reopened at just before 6pm, though was down to one lane passed the accident, while the southbound remained closed as your Worcester News went to press.

 

First on the scene were the Midlands Air Ambulance, based at Strensham, who arrived in their rapid response car.

Paramedic Jim Hancox said: "An HGV struck the central reservation - amazingly the patient self extricated and suffered only a minor leg injury."

West Midlands Ambulance Service also sent an ambulance and a paramedic area support officer.

About 20 firefighters were also called to the motorway - three crews from Worcester, one from Droitwich as well as the incident support vehicle and another from Gloucestershire.

A spokeswoman said: "We were called at 2.52pm to reports of an RTC involving a HGV lorry which had gone into a bridge between junctions seven and eight southbound.

"The lorry had struck the central reservation and the fire service helped release the man."