Lorry driver hurt in M6 fire that caused traffic chaos near Coventry

The driver of a lorry involved in a fire which closed part of the M6 had to be taken to hospital. West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) confirmed that the man, who has not been identified, was left injured in the blaze earlier this morning. As a result of the fire, part of the M6 southbound, between Coleshill and junction three at Coventry[1] and Nuneaton[2], remains closed.

A ‘complex’ clean-up operation is needed, according to National Highways West Midlands. The driver is being treated at the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, a WMAS spokesperson confirmed. “We were called at 4.03am to a lorry fire on the M6[3], between junctions 3a and 3, nearby where the M42 and M6 Toll join the M6 in Little Packington,” the spokesperson said. “One ambulance attended the scene.

Upon arrival we found a man who was the driver of the lorry. He was assessed and had sustained injuries not believed to be life threatening. He was conveyed to George Elliot Hospital for further assessment.”

Warwickshire[5] Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a crew from Coleshill in North Warwickshire worked with West Midlands Fire Service colleagues to put out the flames. They remained on the scene for around four hours. “We were alerted to an incident at approximately 3:40am on Tuesday 21 May, between junction 3 and 4 of the M6 southbound near Coleshill,” a Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said.

“One appliance from Coleshill Fire Station attended the incident and on arrival found a trailer well alight on the hard shoulder of the motorway. Working alongside an appliance from West Midlands Fire Service, crews stayed at the scene for around four hours extinguishing the blaze and making the scene safe. “The driver of the vehicle was left in the care of the ambulance service.”

Warwickshire Police[6] confirmed they were alerted by about the fire. But the situation is being dealt with by National Highways. This includes the clean-up operation.

For the latest from the scene, see our liveblog here[7]

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References

1. ^ Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
2. ^ Nuneaton (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
3. ^ the M6 (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
4. ^ School ‘bomb hoax’ arrest made as teen taken into custody (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
5. ^ Warwickshire (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
6. ^ Warwickshire Police (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
7. ^ here (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
8. ^ here (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
9. ^ Coventry (www.coventrytelegraph.net)