There are currently six miles of tailbacks on the M6 northbound after the collision, near junction 11 for Cannock and Shareshill, Staffordshire. All lanes are closed as emergency services work at the scene of the accident, which involves a van and two lorries.

       The van driver has been rushed to hospital in a serious condition after being freed from the wreckage by fire crews.

       A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "An ambulance, two paramedic officers, the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene."

       The smash happened at 3am but traffic has built up since on the stretch of road, which Birmingham Live reports is usually busy with commuters in rush hour anyway.

       The gridlock has now reached junction 9 for Walsall, West Midlands.

       The diversion in place has caused congestion on local roads in and around Walsall and Bloxwich, including the A34 and A4148.

       An alternative diversion takes traffic off the M6 at junction 10a and onto the M54 westbound.

       It is not known if anyone else has been injured at this stage.

       "M6 J11 between slips NB is currently closed due to a serious collision. It’s likely to be closed for a few hours," a tweet from Highway England reads.