BASICS hospitality on the M5

A man died in a crash involving a lorry, a single-decker coach and three cars on the M5, police said today.

A spokeswoman said that a coach was in collision with an articulated lorry on the northbound carriageway and the lorry then crossed the central reservation on to the southbound carriageway.

A black Ford Fiesta car was in collision with the lorry and a green Rover was then in collision with the Fiesta.

The driver of the Fiesta, a 30-year-old man from Birmingham, was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin and the coroner have been informed.

The coach, a Megabus service from Cardiff to Leeds, was carrying 18 passengers.

Three were taken to Cheltenham General Hospital with minor injuries and the remaining passengers continued their journey on an alternative bus.

A 69-year-old man from the Birmingham area was driving the lorry. He was taken to a hospital in Worcester with minor injuries.

The driver of the Rover, a 27-year-old man from Pembrokeshire, and the passenger, a 26-year-old woman from Worcester, both received minor injuries and were treated at Cheltenham General Hospital.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said they were also called to the crash just after 7am.

He said they joined Great Western Ambulance Service and the Midlands Air Ambulance.

"Crews arrived to find a jacknifed lorry on the southbound carriageway," he said.

"A car and a coach were also involved in the collision.

"Sadly, a man who was in the car was confirmed dead at the scene.

"In addition to the work of Great Western Ambulance Service crews, staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service dealt with 20 people from the coach.

"Two, both with minor injuries, were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"The others were all assessed at the scene and ultimately discharged at scene, but the focus of the crews' work was to keep them warm on what was a very cold morning with freezing fog.

"While the coach company arranged for a replacement vehicle, ambulance service staff did all they could to keep everyone warm.

"This included one of the BASICS doctors letting four people wait in the warmth of his response car. Hot drinks were also provided.

"This was a tragic incident which resulted in the death of one person, but of the many others involved, no-one was seriously injured."