Eight people killed in British motorway crash during holiday weekend

 

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Eight people died when two lorries and a minibus collided on one of Britain's main motorways early on Saturday at the start of a busy bank holiday weekend, police said.

 

Four others were injured in the collision just before 3.15 a.m. (0230 GMT) in the southbound lane of the M1 motorway near the English town of Newport Pagnell, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of London, the force added.

 

"All of the deceased were travelling in the minibus. The four taken to hospital were also travelling in the minibus of whom one is a child," said Thames Valley police, adding that the vehicle was believed to have travelled from the Nottingham area.

 

Two men, the drivers of the two lorries, were arrested and remained in custody. Both are being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while one of them has an additional count of driving with more than the permitted alcohol level.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-27

RIP

know that stretch of road well, i think it is unlit, looks like the minibus is at the rear of the 2 heavies

 

link here -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7qQ6x8kKRo

 

and here - https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/96192320/several-killed-in-british-motorway-crash

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Two men, the drivers of the two lorries, were arrested and remained in custody. Both are being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while one of them has an additional count of driving with more than the permitted alcohol level.

Shocking that there's just one HGV driver still flaunting the rules. I met an HGV driver who does long-haul all over Europe. It was his fortnight off so he was chaperoning a bus load of Cornish pensioners on their way to Loch Lomond for the weekend. Their overnight stop in Lancaster coincided with Storm Desmond and the city plunged into darkness while the river burst its banks. We were all staying at the same hotel and he did a masterful job of looking over his charges and was looking forward to a pint after they all were safely tucked in. No power, no beer and the cellar was flooded. He was almost crying since for 50 weeks of the year, he doesn't drink due to his truck-driving job and now he couldn't get one.

Edited August 27, 20178 yr by NanLaew

12 minutes ago, steve187 said:

RIP

know that stretch of road well, i think it is unlit, looks like the minibus is at the rear of the 2 heavies

 

link here -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7qQ6x8kKRo

 

and here - https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/96192320/several-killed-in-british-motorway-crash

 

The minivan was removed from the scene in 3 pieces. Here they are

 

 

Worst crash in Uk for 24 years, headlines on all news

 

Sadly it would barely raise an eyebrow here

51 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The minivan was removed from the scene in 3 pieces.

Looks as though it was cut up to get the victims out, so not as dramatic as it sounds.

I also know that stretch of road well and used to drive past it so very often, what the hell was a hgv driver doing drinking? 

1 hour ago, bert bloggs said:

I also know that stretch of road well and used to drive past it so very often, what the hell was a hgv driver doing drinking? 

Early morning driving after a heavy night so can easily be over the limit.

Norwegian police used to have stops and checks on the way out of Stavanger to Hundvog island, on the bridge, and caught quite a few over the limit at 6.30am. Heavy fine, few days lock up and the UK company paid you off and you paid your own fare home.

Easy mistake to make but no-one elses fault except your own.

Wouldn't like to be where the 31? year old driver is now, it won't be a 50 quid fine and 6 hail marys.

Edited August 27, 20178 yr by overherebc

See ! Not just LoS .  Saying that when this sort of thing happens here it won't get into the British press. Paper would have no room for anything else.

4 hours ago, Richard W said:

Looks as though it was cut up to get the victims out, so not as dramatic as it sounds.

With 8 out of 12 dead in the minivan before the emergency services even got there and eyewitnesses referring to the minivan being pancaked under the trailer then yes... yes, you're right, probably not as dramatic as it sounds at all.

5 hours ago, poohy said:

Worst crash in Uk for 24 years, headlines on all news

 

Sadly it would barely raise an eyebrow here

I would go as far as saying an every day occurrence...

 

Seems both truck drivers have been charged:

Quote

Ryszard Masierak, 31, and David Wagstaff, 51, have been charged with eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

They also face four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Mr Masierak, of [address removed] was charged with eight counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-41065582

 

A racist troll post has been removed

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

With 8 out of 12 dead in the minivan before the emergency services even got there and eyewitnesses referring to the minivan being pancaked under the trailer then yes... yes, you're right, probably not as dramatic as it sounds at all.

Most of victims from same family too. Just so sad.