A LORRY driver has been killed in a crash that has closed the M5 motorway in Worcestershire.

The M5 is closed near Strensham Services between junctions eight and seven northbound after two crashes in the early hours.

All lanes are closed northbound.

Lane three southbound is closed between Junctions seven and eight.

Police expect the closures to be in effect for several hours.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call to reports of a multi-vehicle collision involving a number of lorries on the northbound carriageway of the M5, between junctions 8 and 7, at 4.31am.

"We sent two ambulances, three paramedic officers, our Hazardous Area Response Team and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene.

“On arrival we discovered a lorry driver who had suffered serious injuries in the collision.

"Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save them and they were confirmed dead at the scene.

“Ambulance crews worked closely with fire and police colleagues to carefully cut a second lorry driver, a man, free from his vehicle, a process which took approximately 90 minutes.

“Following treatment at the scene for potentially serious injuries, he was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham for further treatment.”

Prior to that there had been a crash between a car and a lorry also on the northbound carriage of the M5 between junctions 8 and 7 at 2.50am.

Three ambulances and two paramedic officers attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival we discovered six patients from the car.

“A man, who was a rear seat passenger, was treated for potentially serious injuries and taken to Worcester Royal Hospital.

“The driver and a second rear seat passenger, both men, were treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to Hereford County Hospital on the same ambulance.

“Three further patients were discharged at the scene.”

At 4.56am, National Highways tweeted: "The initial collision on the M5 northbound between J8 and J7 has been cleared however, there is a second collision between J8 and J7 which emergency services are currently in attendance with.

"The road remains closed. More information to follow shortly. Thank you."

National Highways tweeted this morning: "We're now closing #M5 north from J9 (#Tewkesbury) to J7 (#Worcester) due to severe delays on the original diversion route for the closure J8 (#M50) to J7.

"We've done this to utilise alternate diversion routes."