SIX people have died and one is critically injured after a multi-vehicle crash in Birmingham this morning.
Three men were killed when they were thrown out of their car while a black cab driver and his two passengers died after the vehicle was left on its side, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
Five ambulances and three paramedics attended the scene of the horror crash at 1.10am this morning and the Ambulance Service said it was astonishing that a man and woman in the first car were able to escape with minor injuries despite "extensive damage" to their vehicle.
A fourth man travelling in the car remains in a critical condition at the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Three other cars collided as they tried to avoid the scene and two were taken to Heartlands Hospital with minor injuries
Aspokesman for the ambulance service said: "This was an extremely complex and distressing crash scene that required excellent multi-agency teamwork. "The ambulance service has already debriefed all of the staff involved and will be providing on-going support as required due to the nature of the incident."
The incident happened on the underpass on Lee Bank Middleway, near Edgbaston, at the junction of Bristol Road.
The road will remain shut for the rest of the day.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said a man and woman in the first car managed to escape with "relatively minor injuries", and were taken to Heartlands Hospital.
He added: "The second vehicle, a 'black cab', was on its side.
"Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene. The man and woman in the back were rapidly extricated.
"Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the woman and she was also confirmed dead at the scene.
"The man was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the MERIT trauma doctor travelling with the crew. Sadly, he died at hospital."
There were four men in the third car, the spokesman said, three of whom were confirmed dead at the scene.
The fourth was taken to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in a critical condition.
Of those travelling in the three other cars involved in the crash, a man and a woman were treated for minor injuries, one man was discharged after assessment and another said he did not require any assistance.
Officers from West Midlands Police are looking into what caused the crash, the force said.
Sergeant Alan Hands said: "We are currently dealing with a very serious collision and working with partner agencies to establish what caused this collision to happen.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the families of those who have very sadly lost their lives this morning and those who have been injured or caught up in this incident."
West Midlands Fire Service said 40 firefighters helped in the aftermath of the "horrific" crash.
Area Commander Jason Campbell said: "The first West Midlands Fire Service crews arrived in less than four minutes and were met with a complex scene, spread over some distance.
"Our firefighters' actions involved stabilising vehicles, releasing the dead and injured, as well as administering CPR and first aid.
"All of the emergency services worked together and co-ordinated their response in extremely challenging circumstances, doing all they possibly could to minimise the loss of life."
Lizzy Bowers, 18, is from London but was visiting friends in Birmingham when she heard the crash.
She said: "I was in the McDonald's drive through and there were two loud bangs.
"Everyone abandoned their cars and people flocked from everywhere, even flats nearby, to come see what happened.
"There was two people lying lifeless about 20ft apart from each other and then a people carrier taxi squashed up the wall against another car, which was almost unrecognisable as a car.
"I saw at least two people trapped under the taxi.
"Other cars behind had bumped into each other, probably from slamming their brakes on.
"Very upsetting, emergency service arrived almost minutes after and has been cordoned off with lots of police since.
"There was another small vehicle further down that had been crashed into, but yes there was the taxi and the car up against the wall.
"It was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed. It didn't look good at all.
"I hope everyone involved is okay, especially this close to Christmas - tragic."