M50 re-opens after fatal lorry crash

Drivers were left queuing in traffic for more than 9 hours

Author: Jess PaynePublished 1st Mar 2024
Last updated 1st Mar 2024

A man has died following a motorway crash, involving two HPV lorries on the M50 between Ledbury and Tewkesbury.

West Mercia Police has confirmed the incident happened yesterday morning (29th February) between junctions 1 and 2.

"Sadly, we can confirm that a man has died in the collision," officers said in a post on X, "and our officers are still in attendance with our emergency services colleagues and partner agencies."

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 10.54am to the Eastbound stretch between junctions 2 and 1 near Tewkesbury and sent an ambulance, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said:“On arrival, crews found one of the lorry drivers, a man, in a critical condition.

“Medics immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, it quickly became clear that he could not be saved and was confirmed dead at the scene.

“There were no other patients”.

Angry drivers have taken to social media to complain they had to sit in their cars for more than 9 hours, waiting for emergency services to clean up an oil spill.

Traffic service Inrix said the road needed resurfacing, due to the severity of the spill.

"My step father is stuck in the traffic after nearly 10 hours without no support/food/water and no idea of when he's likely to get home," said one person in a post on X, "I appreciate someone has lost their life but awful for those stuck."

West Mercia police has apologised to those who were stuck for so long and are investigating the cause of the crash.

The road has now re-opened.

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