[16 FEB 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Man Killed In Motorway Smash

A man was killed today in a rush hour accident on the M6 when he was thrown out of his van and hit by it after losing control.

The accident happened on the southbound carriageway by junction 2, alongside the M69, at 7.15am.

The grey Ford transit van was in the middle lane when the driver lost control and spun around, hitting a Leyland DAF HGV in the first lane.

Police believe the spin was caused by a rear tyre deflating for a reason which is still being investigated.

The driver, John Charles Gerratty, aged 58, from Inglefield Road, Stetchford, Birmingham, was thrown out of the van when the door opened.

He died after being hit by his own van and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two passengers were in the van: a 43-year-old man from Kings Hurst, and 59-year-old from Stetchford, both in Birmingham. Neither were injured, but they were both badly shaken.

The driver of the lorry, a 37-year-old from Preston in Lancashire was also uninjured.

Traffic was diverted around the crash by leaving the exit at junction 2 and rejoining down the slip road.