A STRETCH of the M5 has been completely closed after a serious spillage of acetone with one man taken to hospital.

The M5 northbound is now completely closed between Droitwich and Bromsgrove due to the incident, which involved two lorries and a car.

Highways England confirmed the news saying: "The M5 Northbound between J5 Droitwich and J4a M42 link will now be totally closed to a serious spillage. Please use alternative routes for travel."

As a result, the whole section is now closed with traffic officers, firefighters and police at the scene.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: "Emergency services are currently responding to a collision on the M5 northbound between J5 and 4A.

"The incident, involving a car and a lorry, happened at 10.15am today and the road is currently closed while officers respond."

The accident is understood to have happened in lane one and as a result, the A38 is congested through Upton Warren and Stoke Heath as traffic diverts.

An ambulance spokesman said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision between junctions 5 and 4a of the M5 at 10.21am and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

“On arrival we discovered two lorries that had been in collision. There were two cars further up the carriageway that are also believed to have been involved.

“In total ambulance staff assessed four patients. The driver of one of the lorries, a man, was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for further assessment.

“The driver of the second lorry, a man, was assessed and discharged at the scene, as were a further two patients from the cars.

“The collision resulted in one of the lorries causing a chemical spillage on the carriageway which our colleagues from the fire service dealt with.”

HW Fire and Rescue Service Commander John Laight tweeted: "M5 should be partially opened very soon following a serious RTC between J5 and 4a. Incident has involved a number of chemicals which have now been contained and awaiting recovery. Lanes 1 and 2 will remain closed for a number of hours."