Eight die, four hurt in motorway crash

Eight people travelling in a minibus were killed and four taken to hospital after a collision between two lorries and their vehicle on the M1 near Newport Pagnell, Thames Valley police have said.Six men and two women died at the scene, and a woman, a man and a five-year-old girl were taken to hospital with serious injuries.All three remain in a life-threatening condition.Another woman was taken to hospital but her injuries are not believed to be critical.Police believe some of those travelling in the minibus were visiting the UK from India.Officers were called to the scene of the crash on the southbound carriageway at 3.15am.Police confirmed that one of those injured in the crash was a child.The drivers of the two lorries were arrested at the scene.A 31-year-old man from Worcestershire was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and of drink driving.Police also arrested a 53-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.Both men remain in custody.The minibus was believed to have come from the Nottingham area.Pictures of the vehicles appear to show a FedEx lorry with its cab crushed and the cab of an AIM Logistics lorry twisted around to the side.Another image shows what appears to be the crumpled wreckage of the minibus on the back of a flatbed truck.Broken glass and debris from the collision was scattered across the tarmac.Ismail Elmagdoub, director of AIM Logistics, said: “One of our vehicles was involved in a serious incident on the M1 southbound, junction 14 this morning at approximately 3am.“We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones and also those who have been injured at this very sad time.“Road safety and compliance is of the utmost importance to AIM Logistics and we are continuing to assist the police as much as possible with their inquiries.”Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to free three people who were trapped in vehicles.They were taken to hospital with a fourth person.The M1 southbound reopened between junction 15 (Northampton South) and junction 14 (Milton Keynes) yesterday afternoon after emergency services worked for hours to clear the scene.The crash caused traffic to grind to a standstill as tailbacks stretched in both directions for most of the morning.Chief Inspector Henry Parsons from Thames Valley police said: “Emergency services are on the scene responding to this collision and road closures are in place.“We would ask all motorists to please avoid the area, use alternative routes and await further updates before attempting to travel on this route.“We appreciate motorists’ patience while we deal with this serious incident.”