Lorry in motorway smash

11:30am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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A MAN has had a lucky escape after the lorry he was in crashed through a motorway barrier nearly plunging 25 feet onto the roadside below.

The victim, believed to be in his 40s, was airlifted to hospital after the accident happened on a section of elevated carriageway, eastbound on the M50, at 2.30pm, today.

An ambulance and the County Air Ambulance from Strensham were at the scene within minutes.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service sent appliances from Ross, Ledbury and Upton to help with a fuel spillage resulting from the collision.

The incident support unit was also scrambled from Droitwich along with the environmental protection unit, based at Evesham.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "When crews arrived they found a 7 tonne lorry which was partly over the bridge parapet.

"The lorry had gone through part of the railings; two of the railings had pierced the front of the cab and were protruding from the side of the lorry.

"The driver suffered a severe leg injury and had lost a lot of blood."

She added the man was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for further assessment and treatment. His condition is not known.