1 London
London News & Search
1 News - 1 eMovies - 1 eMusic - 1 eBooks - 1 Search
Eight people have died and four have been injured in a pile-up involving two lorries and a minibus on the M1.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the early morning crash at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, and are being held by police.
The minibus is believed to have travelled from near Nottingham in the same direction as the lorries before the smash which happened around 3.15am on Saturday.
Motorists have been urged to avoid the scene between junctions 14 and 15.
Traumatised witnesses took to social media to share their horror as shocking images emerged of the flattened minibus.
Ollie Miller, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, told the Daily Mail: “It looked horrible, the two lorries were badly smashed and I could see a vehicle underneath one of the lorries. It was totally destroyed. The minibus was basically flat.
”I feel sorry for all those affected.”
Valerie Selby added: “If you’re on the M1 southbound Northampton or heading that way – chose an alternative route ASAP and be patient, the accident that has shut the motorway is the most horrific I have ever seen & I imagine road will be shut all day.”
The accident comes as more than four million people took to Britain’s roads for a Bank Holiday getaway amid chaos on London’s rail network.
Improvement works at major transport hubs Waterloo, Euston and Victoria left many forced to use the roads.
Northamptonshire Police have asked people travelling to the British Moto GP at Silverstone to allow more time for their journey as motorists complained of two-hour queues around the scene of the crash.
The Highways Agency has advised anyone travelling south to exit at junction 15 and take the A508 southbound through Roade and Grafton Regis to the A508/A5/A422 roundabout at Deanshanger.
They can then exit onto the A5 and continue to the A5/A509 Interchange.
Chief Inspector Henry Parsons said: “Emergency services are continuing to work at the scene and road closures remain in place.
“We are aware there are a number of large-scale events taking place this weekend and this closure is likely to have a significant impact on traffic disruption, so please allow extra time for your journeys.
“Our thoughts are very much with the families of those involved in this morning’s collision and we are currently working to locate and inform their next of kins.”
Anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation should call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting URN 214 of 26/8.
This story is being updated.
1 London
London News & Search
1 News - 1 eMovies - 1 eMusic - 1 eBooks - 1 Search
