M1 traffic: Drivers warned of 8-MILE queues as crash closes lanes in rush hour
A crash on the M1 has closed two lanes of the busy motorway during rush hour sending traffic snaking back for 7.5 miles. It comes as Storm Claudia batters the country and the A15 Humber Bridge has also been closed in both directions due to strong winds. The crash on the M1 nothbound in Northamptonshire was between two cars.
It happened between junction 18 for Rugby and junction 19 for the A14. Drivers are advised to avoid the area or allow extra time for journeys. It comes after two people were killed when the car they were travelling in left a motorway and hit a tree in South Yorkshire.
Emergency services were called to the southbound M1 near Barnsley a little before midnight on Wednesday to reports of a collision involving a grey BMW. This live blog has now ended.
22:29Charlie JonesInvestigation launched after last night's deadly crash
South Yorkshire Police said: "We have launched an investigation following the tragic death of a man and a woman in a fatal collision on the M1. "We're appealing for witnesses, footage and information to help us understand the circumstances that led to the collision.
Last night (Wednesday 12 November) at 11.36pm, we received a call to reports of a collision on the M1 Southbound between junctions 37 and 36. "A dark coloured grey BMW Saloon motor vehicle is believed to have been travelling along the motorway when it has exited the carriageway and collided with a tree. Emergency services attended and the driver, a man in his 20s, and his passenger, a woman in her 20s, were sadly both pronounced dead at the scene.
"Their families are being supported by family liaison officers and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed or may have dashcam footage of the car prior to the collision, or anyone with information that you believe can assist us with our enquiries."
21:36Charlie JonesVictim in previous crash named
Umar Akbar has been locally named as one of the two victims who died after a car veered off the M1 and crashed into a tree late on Wednesday night. Police rushed to the southbound carriageway between junctions 37 and 36 at 11.36pm on Wednesday after reports that a BMW Saloon had left the road and struck a tree.
The key roadway was closed well into Thursday.
19:05Charlie JonesWhat we know so far
- A crash on the M1 has closed two lanes in Northamptonshire
- Traffic is stretching 7.5 miles back during rush hour
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The crash happened between junction 18 for Rugby and junction 19 for the A14
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It comes as Storm Claudia batters the country
References
- ^ Read the full story here. (www.mirror.co.uk)