A LORRY driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after another driver was hit by his vehicle on the M5.

Officers were called to the stretch of the motorway between J7 (Worcester) and J8 (M50) southbound shortly after 7.30pm on Monday to reports of a seriously injured man laying partially in the carriageway.

The man was confirmed to be the driver of a lorry which had stopped on the hard shoulder.  

Witness reports suggest he was stood on the rear offside of his vehicle when he was struck by a passing white lorry.

He sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham by air ambulance, where he remains in a critical condition.

The lorry which hit him failed to stop but was later tracked down by officers who arrested the driver, a 41-year-old man, on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. 

He remains in custody.

An eight-hour road closure was put in place with fire service crews assisting with lighting as a police led investigation was carried out. 

Drivers who were caught between the incident and junction 7 were turned around and escorted back to the Worcester exit. 

National Highways for West Midlands confirmed the motorway was fully reopened at around 5am this morning.

Officers are now appealing for anyone with further information, or dash cam footage, to come forward.

Sargeant Steve Hastie of the roads policing team, said: “The motorway was busy at the time the incident occurred and so I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision or was driving between junctions 7 and 8 at the time and may have dash cam footage of either the collision itself, or the lorry stopped on the hard shoulder, to please get in touch as soon as possible.

“The victim remains in a critical condition in hospital and we need as much information as possible to help us progress with the investigation.”

Anyone with information or footage is asked to visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/ quoting reference incident number 520 of January 17, 2022.

Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers.

It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or IP address.

You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.