HGV driver arrested after man dies on M50

West Mercia Police has apologised to those who were stuck in their vehicles

A HGV driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal crash on the M50.

The incident, involving two lorries, happened at about 10:50 GMT on Thursday between junctions two for Ledbury and one for Tewkesbury.

A 32-year-old man, who had been driving one of the lorries involved, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 47-year-old man, was arrested at the scene and has since been released on police bail as inquiries continue.

West Mercia Police is appealing for witnesses or those with dashcam footage for come forward.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews found the injured lorry driver 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," a spokesperson said.

No-one else required treatment.

Oil and fuel spills, coupled with a crash investigation, led to lengthy closures, meaning the motorway only fully reopened on Friday morning.

Speaking to the BBC on Thursday evening, some drivers, including those with young children, said they had been trapped in traffic on the eastbound carriageway for about 10 hours and had received next to no communication, nor had access to food or water.

Complex investigation

John Hancock, 81, spoke of his concern for those involved in the crash but said the aftermath was "absolute chaos".

"I'm shaking and feeling frazzled, I don't know if it's from the adrenaline or dehydration," he said at the time.

He added: "I'm okay, but there are families with babies and young children who are also stuck with no food or water. It's a complete nightmare."

Another person said they were trying to reach an event in Birmingham, while one driver described being stuck in the car along with their severely disabled child.

Police apologised on social media to those who had been left stuck in the trapped traffic.

Insp Steph Arrowsmith, said: "I would like to recognise and thank the public for their understanding and co-operation yesterday as we carried out our initial investigation into the collision.

“Due to the complexity of the load shed from one of the vehicles following the collision this did cause long delays for other road users, as we cleared the carriageway and made the area safe."