Death crash passenger named – Steven Cracknell from Batley

Mr Cracknell, of Smithies Moor Lane, was the passenger in a van which was in a collision with four other vehicles on Tuesday night.

A spokeswoman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Sadly, despite their best efforts, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at hospital.”

The driver of the van, a 27-year-old man from Mirfield, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with serious head and chest injuries. He was in a critical, but stable condition.

Two lorries, two vans and a car were involved in the crash, which happened between junctions eight and nine on the northbound carriageway of the M5 at around 9.10pm.

A 46-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent, who was driving one of the lorries, was also seriously injured and is being treated for potentially life-changing injuries.

He suffered multiple leg and pelvic injuries and was trapped in the cab of his lorry for two hours.

Do you know Mr Cracknell? Leave a message of condolence by commenting below or emailing [email protected].