Woman airlifted to hospital after M6 crash

A 40-year-old woman from Shropshire was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries after a crash which closed the M6 for 10 hours.

The woman, from Oswestry, was driving a horsebox when the accident happened on the southbound carriageway near junction 4a on Monday.

Police today said they believed the horsebox and a van, which was also involved in the crash, were stationary when they were hit by a lorry.

A 49-year-old man from Willenhall, who was the driver of the van, was also taken to hospital. Both remain in a serious condition in hospital today.

Officers understand the horse transporter and a Vauxhall Combo van were both stationary in the inside lane before the impact.

West Midlands Police Inspector Mark Watkins said: "We now know the drivers of these vehicles had stopped in the inside lane and were out walking on the carriageway when a lorry collided with them.

"What we need to understand is why the vehicles stopped and why they were standing in a live lane."