Transporter driver freed on M5

Monday 9 October 2007
17.48 Between junctions 17-18 (Cribb's Causeway to Avonmouth) southbound M5

Appliances from Patchway and Avonmouth Fire Stations were called to the M5 after a car transporter overturned, blocking all three lanes of the motorway.

On arrival crews found the vehicle lying on its driver's side and at least one of the nine cars being carried by the transporter had come free in the incident.

The male driver of the vehicle, thought to be aged in his 50s was trapped in the cab by his arm.

Firefighters initially used hydraulic spreaders to raise the cab from the carriageway and then used an inflatable airbag to lift the cab so the casualty could be released.

The driver was conveyed to hospital by Great Western Ambulance Service with minor head injuries and injuries to his arm. None of his injuries were thought to be life threatening.