A MAN was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a car and lorry crash on the M5 in Worcester.

The man was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after he was trapped in his car and needed to be cut free by the fire service.

The M5 was closed between junction 7 (Worcester/Evesham) and junction 8 (Strensham) in both directions while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Midlands Air Ambulance was called to the motorway while two-hour queues of traffic built up on the northbound carriageway.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a collision between a two-vehicle road traffic collision on the northbound carriage of the M5, near junction 8, at 12.06pm.

"One ambulance, two paramedic officers, and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the scene.

"On arrival, crews discovered a car and lorry that had been in collision.

"There was one patient, a man, who had to be cut free from his car by the fire service.

"He was treated for serious injuries before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, by land ambulance."

Three Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue crews from Worcester, Droitwich and Evesham Fire Stations and two Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene to release the man.

Severe delays have built up on the M5 following the crash with traffic backed up between Droitwich and junction 10 (Cheltenham).

In Worcester, roads surrounding the motorway were busy with traffic including the A4440 and the A38 through Severn Stoke and Kempsey is congested.

There is also congestion on routes around Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, Pershore and Evesham as people seek an alternative route.

The incident is ongoing. 

A Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said three crews from Worcester, Droitwich and Evesham Fire Stations were sent to the motorway.

They were joined by two Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service crews.

"The incident involved an HGV and a car with a male casualty trapped and being extricated by crews.

"The incident is ongoing. Police, ambulance and Highways are all in attendance."