A5 crash: Driver cut free and airlifted to hospital after suffering 'medical episode' and crashing

The dual carriageway between Telford and Shrewsbury was closed in both directions for several hours on Tuesday morning after the man left the westbound carriageway shortly before 6.30am.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken by air ambulance to hospital in Stoke.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving a call about a single-vehicle collision on the westbound carriageway between Wellington and Shrewsbury at around 6.36am on Tuesday.

Fire crews from Shrewsbury, Telford Central and Wellington station attended the scene, and worked to free the driver who was trapped in the vehicle. The man was later taken to the hospital by the Midlands Air Ambulance.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Upon arrival we found a man who was the driver of the car who is believed to have suffered a medical incident at the wheel. He was extricated from the vehicle by the fire service.

“Once extricated, he was assessed by ambulance staff and received advanced trauma care at the scene for serious injuries. He was conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital by air ambulance for further treatment.”

At around 8am spokesperson from the fire service confirmed the road was closed in both directions between Junction 7 and Preston Island to allow for the air ambulance to land.

The eastbound carriageway had reopened by 9am, and 20 minutes later National Highways confirmed the road was reopen in both directions.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We were called to a single vehicle collision on the A5, between junction 7 to the M54 and the Preston roundabout in Shrewsbury, at around 6.20am this morning (Tuesday 6 August).

"One man has been taken to hospital via air ambulance."

After the road had reopened, National Highways were warning road users of delays of around 60 minutes above the normal travel time and around four miles of congestion on the approach towards Junction 6 of the M54.