Welshpool women killed in motorway accident

Two Welshpool women are believed to have died in a two-vehicle crash on the M42 in the early hours of this morning.

They were back-seat passengers in a Vauxhall Meriva which was in collision with a white Mercedes van.

The driver of the van, a 37-year-old man from Birmingham, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and has been released under investigation.

The women have not yet been named officially by the authorities.

Emergency services were called to the northbound side of the M42, between junction nine at Coleshill and junction 10 for Tamworth.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said the driver of the car, a man in his 70s and a third passenger, a man in his 30s, did not require hospital treatment.

The van driver sustained back pain and a hand injury and was taken to hospital.

Warwickshire Police said the next of kin had been informed.

There were severe delays on the M42 while police carried out investigations. The road fully re-opened at about 11:15 GMT.

Insp Gary Bridgewater said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience. Officers are also keen to speak to anyone with dash-cam footage of the incident."