11/06/2003

Five die in motorway pile up

Five people have died and at least six were injured - three seriously - in a pile up involving 11 vehicles on the M1 motorway in Leicestershire this morning.

The collision occurred at about 7.25am and involved a tank transporter, lorries and a number of cars. Emergency crews attending the scene had to cut some people from their vehicles.

Four people died at the scene and two of the injured were taken to hospital by air ambulance - where one later died.

The initial collision occurred on the northbound carriageway when the tank transporter apparently jack-knifed and crossed into the southbound carriageway. There were further collisions as the transporter's load of Scimitar armoured personnel carriers spilled onto the carriageway.

A number of vehicles are still at the scene of the collision and will require specialist removal once police scene investigations are complete. It is also not known at this stage whether repairs will have to be carried out to the motorway itself. If this is the case then the closure may have to be for a longer period, as the road will not be reopened until it is safe.

The collision caused considerable congestion in both directions but police have said that traffic is beginning to flow more freely now.

Leicestershire Police have issued an emergency number - 0116 2750099 - for people who are concerned that their relatives may have been involved in the collision.

(GMcG)

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