5 Dead in Head-on Collision M1

[The Riddler]

Just seen this on BBC text while looking for F1 related stuff.

Five people have been killed in a head-on collision between two cars on the M1 in Bedfordshire. The accident happened on the southbound carrigeway just south of junction 11, The turn off for Dunstable.

A Bedfordshire police spokesman said the driver of a VW Passat and 2 men and two women travelling in a Jaguar had all died.

The spokesman said it appeared the Passat, which was Polish registered, had been travelling the wrong way on the motorway.

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Sad news.

[Trevelyan]

Just driven past this heading North. It was a pretty sobering sight. I don't know how many emergency vehicles were there, but it was more than I've ever seen in one place before. Serves as a reminder that it doesn't matter how careful or good a driver you are, there are some things you just can't do anything about. As well as the people directly affected, I feel for the emergency services personnel working at the scene. The expressions on their faces said it all really.

[Nobody You Know]

Very sad news.

Must have been massive impact speed for all occupents the Jag' to be killed. Did anyone survive from the Passat or was there only one occupent?

[The Riddler]

Got it in one there mate, the consequences of an accident like this go far beyond the families involved. I really feel for the families of all involved, and to the emergency services who have to deal with it.

Sounds quite simply like the polish driver forgot which side of the road we drive on over here, and i imagine seeing oncomming headlamps on a motorway at 70+ was a very scary sight.

RIP

ETA; No report of any survivors, I just typed the bulliten from the text page over onto here.

Edited by The Riddler on Sunday 19th April 04:02

[skip_1]

Worst bit was that motorway was down to one lane for repairs, so no way to avoid accident assuming concrete divider was in place. Interesting that the police mention the Passat may have turned around.

Sympathies to the families of those in the Jag

[The Riddler]

Just on BBC Breakfast now.

Thats catastrophic, (sp?) Although even 2 cars doing 50mph, closing speed of 100mph would quite easily do that kind of damage.

Very odd that the polish driver turned around on the motorway.

[ModMan]

I passed this at about midnight while going northbound, maybe a few mins before and it was utter utter carnage. Sad news.

[minerva]

What a tragedy. Condolences to all concerned including the poor sods who have to clear it up afterwards.

[J500ANT]

Last summer I was on the A30 heading up from Cornwall. Everyone on the other side was flashing their lights, I assumed it was a speed camera van but slowed anyway. As I came around the bend, there was a UK registered Merc Sprinter in the outside lane, driving the other way on my side of the dual carriageway. I braked hard, the guy in the car overtaking me dived in front and missed it by barely inches. Frightening.

[Nickyboy]

skip_1 said:

Worst bit was that motorway was down to one lane for repairs, so no way to avoid accident assuming concrete divider was in place. Interesting that the police mention the Passat may have turned around.

Sympathies to the families of those in the Jag

No cones in the vid from BBC

[XB70]

Shocking

Even with the tank that I drive, not sure what the survivability of something like that will be.

Drinks fuel, expensive to run but if worst comes to the worst, can't get a much better chance at surviving.

[GlenMH]

Another thread running on this in GG.