Post date: Nov 05, 2011 3:58:54 PM
Police confirm that at least seven people have been killed in a major road crash in south west England.
TAUNTON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 5, 2011) ITN - At least seven people were killed in a major road accident in south west England, police confirmed on Saturday (November 5).
More than 30 vehicles, including cars and lorries, were involved in the crash on themotorway near Taunton on Friday evening, in what police described as a 'horrific' incident.
"I'm now able to confirm that we've had a collision involving 34 vehicles, many of which are burnt, and burnt literally to the ground. I'm also able to confirm that we've got 51 seroiusly...apologies.....51 casualties. Many of those have gone to hospital, 25 to Yeovil District Hospital and 17 of the more seriously injured to Musgrove Park. We also have nine people who have been treated near to the scene by the ambulance service. Sadly, I can now confirm that we believe we've had at least seven people die as a result of this incident. We fear that that number will rise as the day continues," said Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham.
The multi-car crash caused explosions and a fireball on the M5 motorway.
Police said they were looking into what may have caused the crash but said poor weather conditions were likely to have played a role.
"It was dark it was about 8.25pm, it was particularly poor weather last night, we had fog banks on the motorway and we also had some wet surface issues. We had particular groundwater in the Bridgwater area, which we were dealing with. There were also other factors come into play, there were events going on in the evening and of course we need to have a very close look at what was going on in the area that may have caused some sort of distraction," said Bangham.
Police said the motorway, the main gateway to England's southwest, would remain closed in both directions for the rest of the day and overnight.