Five men have been taken to hospital after the minibus they were travelling in left the M6 and collided with a tree in Staffordshire.
The accident happened on the southbound exit slip road of junction 15 near Stoke-on-Trent, shortly before midday on Friday.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find a minibus which had collided with a tree and ended up on its side on the embankment near the hard shoulder.
“A group of army medics, who had stopped to help, were already administering excellent medical treatment to the occupants of the minibus when crews arrived."
Three men had to be cut free from the vehicle by the fire service.
One man suffered serious head and chest injuries in the crash. He was given emergency treatment at the roadside before being taken to University Hospital North Staffordshire.
Another victim suffered severe abdominal injuries was taken to the same hospital by ambulance.
Three others were also taken to the hospital for further assessment and treatment.
The driver of the van was uninjured in the crash.
