Four die in 'horrific' M-way crash

12 April 2012

Bank holiday motorists faced lengthy delays as a "horrific" crash which left four dead forced the closure of a busy stretch of motorway.

Traffic was diverted from the scene of the collision, on the M6 southbound near Walsall, for more than seven hours when the road was closed between junctions eight and seven.

Vehicles heading north were also diverted for six hours following the two-car crash which happened just before 6am on Sunday.

The fatalities, all men, had been travelling in two cars - a silver Ford Fusion and a Peugeot 406 of the same colour. All four were confirmed dead at the scene, near to the M5 interchange.

Police said the Ford Fusion, carrying a lone driver, was travelling along the motorway in the wrong direction when the crash happened.

The Peugeot contained four men. Three were killed and another was taken to Sandwell General Hospital in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "One of the cars was travelling northbound on the southbound carriageway. We don't know how it happened, it is subject to a police investigation." He said motorists were alerted to the crash with electronic signs and diverted onto the M5 motorway.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "At this stage while inquiries are ongoing, we have no ages or further details about the deceased. We will not be releasing any names today, it is too soon."

She added: "It is believed that the Ford Fusion vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction down the motorway before the collision occurred."

Chief Inspector Baljeet Sidhu, from the Central Motorway Police Group, said: "This is a horrific collision which most tragically involved four fatalities. We would urge anyone with information travelling on that stretch of motorway at the time to come forward. They may hold vital information to assist with the inquiry."

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