Britain's Worst Auto Crash in 20 Years
Update, Sunday morning: Death toll revised down to 7. Other new information in Sunday update HERE.
A HORRIFIC ROADWAY ACCIDENT occurred in Somerset, England, when a "black fog" suddenly dropped down on the M-5 motorway. Witnesses said a truck suddenly disappeared from sight and before anyone could comprehend what was happening, a large chain-reaction wreck started unfolding. Immediately a fire broke out within the wreckage and large flames and a fireball were seen by people away from the crash scene.
Press Association
The accident occurred around 8:30 pm Friday night in the northbound lanes of the freeway and involved at least 23 cars and 4 tractor-trailers. The latest casualty count stands at 16 dead and 43 injured. The Guardian reports:
Avon and Somerset police confirmed on Saturday morning that the 43 casualties ranged from those with life-threatening injuries to the walking wounded. Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said some people had been trapped in their burning cars. A number of the vehicles were incinerated.
"The emergency services have been working tirelessly. The incident was very, very challenging and on arrival crews were faced with literally one massive fireball. Most vehicles were well alight and most continued to burn for a considerable time. This made it very difficult to search the vehicles. Some of them have been burned to the ground," Bangham said.
Dr Colin Close, medical director for Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, said it was dealing with a range of injuries including broken limbs and complex chest, abdominal and lung injuries.
An emergency helicopter was utilized to fly another surgeon in from a distant hospital to assist with the overload in the operating rooms.
Telegraph
Police expect the highway to be closed for at least 24 hours before the wreckage can all be cleared away.
Read the entire article in The Guardian HERE.
The Telegraph has MORE.
12-image photo gallery HERE.
Updated Sunday Morning: Additional information plus probable cause in Firegeezer update HERE.
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Also on FireGeezer…
- M5 Crash Update – November 6, 2011
- 52-Car Autobahn Pileup Kills 3, Injures 35 – November 20, 2011
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