M6 fatal collision

Emergency services attended a fatal collision on the M6 in the early hours of this morning that resulted in seven persons being taken to hospital. Local BASICS doctor Richard Steyn attended at the request of the West Midlands Ambulance Service and worked alongside paramedics and crews from a fleet of emergency ambulances to provide emergency care at scene and during the transport phase of the casualties.

Mr Steyn, a consultant thoracic surgeon led the resuscitation efforts for a 4-year old girl who despite on-scene advanced life support was later confirmed as dead at hospital. 

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "A child travelling in one car had suffered multiple serious injuries and was receiving CPR from members of the fire service. Ambulance crews and the BASICS Doctor took over resuscitation attempts of the girl and carried out advanced life support at the scene. Emergency treatment continued in the ambulance on route to hospital where a trauma team were on standby. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene, ambulance and hospital staff, nothing could be done to save the girl and she was confirmed dead shortly after arriving at hospital."

Mr Steyn is the chairman of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) and a thoracic surgeon at the Heart of England NHS Trust.