A LORRY driver has been disqualified from driving after an incident in which he ploughed into a car on the M5 near Worcester, leaving a mother and 12-week-old baby suffering life changing injuries.

Anthony Mitchell, 63, of Dunston Heath, Stafford, was convicted of careless driving at Worcester Crown Court, fined £100, and disqualified from driving for five years on Friday (September 2).

West Mercia Police have released shocking dash cam footage of the incident which shows the moment the DAF HGV lorry Mitchell was driving crashed into slow moving traffic near junction 7 of the M5 Northbound, shortly before 1.15am on June 20, 2015.

Traffic began queuing after a VW Golf veered into the central reservation, with approaching vehicles diverted away from two lanes where the crashed car and debris was in the road.

James Guest moved his Fiat Bravo into lane one, behind a lorry. Mr Guest's two year old daughter, Tilly, and wife Alex were asleep in the rear, while 12-week-old daughter Ava was sleeping in a car seat in the front.

The family had been returning a day early from a holiday in Devon, making the five hour drive back overnight to their home in Birmingham.

The DAF lorry hit them from behind which forced the Fiat Bravo to collide with the lorry in front.

The rear seats of the car were pushed forward into the front seats and the car was embedded under the lorry up to the windscreen.

The jury in the case heard the road was well lit and the queue of traffic was visible for around 600 metres, or about 27 seconds, yet Mitchell had driven into the back of the car at 50mph.

Mitchell had denied two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Mrs Guest and Ava, who were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital following the incident.

Mrs Guest suffered a broken neck, lower back and pelvis, and has permanent nerve damage to her left arm.

PC Simon Carpenter of West Mercia Police Central Motorway Police Group said police had released the dramatic footage to highlight the tragic circumstances driving without due care and attention can have.

"The after effects of this collision will have a profound and life long impact on all involved," PC Carpenter said.

"Our advice is that if you ever feel tired or unwell, or are having difficulty concentrating, always stop and take a break.

"The court case is a result of a detailed and extensive investigation by officers on Central Motorway Police Group.

"Although no sentence can turn the clock back we hope that this and the footage acts as a deterrent."