THE M5 near Droitwich Spa was brought to a standstill when a motorcyclist smashed through the central reservation. The 40-year-old rider suffered severe leg and arm injuries when his bike crashed on the northbound carriageway between Junction 5 and Junction 6.

He was airlifted to University Hospital Birmingham in Selly Oak at around 3.20pm, last Thursday afternoon.

He later had one leg amputated.

The accident closed both carriageways for around 20 minutes to allow the county air ambulance to reach the injured man.

Frustrated drivers clogged routes between Worcester and Droitwich in a bid to avoid tailbacks.

An AA Road Watch spokesman said: "I wouldn't be surprised if some people faced delays of around two to three hours on their journey."