Motorists were delayed for hours as emergency crews attended the incident, by the Gaydon Welcome Break services on the northbound carriageway at about 11.15am.

Problems may have been compounded by thoughtless drivers blocking the hard-shoulder and hindering the response.

The crash victim was airlifted to hospital in Coventry with serious head injuries.

His grey Toyota Auris was travelling between junctions 12 and 13 when it veered off the carriageway and onto a slip road.

The car went through a fence and came to rest partially on the hard shoulder. On Monday the man's condition was said to be stable.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the northbound exit slip road at junction 12 shortly after 11.20am.

Angry witnesses said crews were delayed in their attempts to reach the injured man by motorists driving in the hard shoulder.

Reader Paul Braithwaite was stuck at the scene for more than an hour.
He said: "It wasn't just one car that was on the hard shoulder, there were at least six ignorant selfish people who drove down and nipped back in further down the line hindering rescue vehicles.

"It was absolutely disgraceful behaviour.

"These people should have been booked and had points added to their licence. It could be them next time."

Two ambulances, an incident support officer and the County Air Ambulance from Strensham attended the crash.

A spokesman said: "Crews arrived to find a car which had come off the slip road and collided with a fence.

"The driver, a man in his 30s, had head, chest and abdominal injuries. Crews stabilised his condition and the County Air Ambulance medic anaesthetised him.

"A passing army anaesthetist also stopped to help.

"The man was flown to University Hospital, Coventry. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, had just minor injuries."

Mr Braithwaite added: "It was just like a car park with people getting in and out of their cars. One chap even got his dog out for a walk."

Another driver said: "We were at a standstill for an hour and ten minutes. Everyone was switching off their engines and getting out of their cars."

* Were you at the scene? Email our newsdesk: editorial@leamingtoncourier.co.uk