Coach overturns in motorway crash

John · 09-03-2007, 11:32 AM

A coach has overturned on the M1 in Buckinghamshire leaving at least five people seriously injured. The National Express coach crashed close to the Newport Pagnell service area just after 1600 BST, on the southbound carriageway.
At least 40 people have suffered less serious injuries, a spokeswoman for the South Central Ambulance service said.
The driver of the coach was being cut free by fire crews. Road and air ambulances are at the scene.
A spokesman for Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have been working to release the driver, said the coach appeared to have been the only vehicle involved in the crash, between junctions 14 and 15.
Casualties are being taken to two hospitals, Milton Keynes and John Radcliffe in Oxford.

John · 09-03-2007, 11:57 AM

A coach has overturned at an M1 service area in Buckinghamshire leaving at least five people seriously injured. The National Express bus travelling from Birmingham to Stansted airport crashed as it entered Newport Pagnell services just after 1600 BST.

At least 36 people have suffered less serious injuries, a spokeswoman for the South Central Ambulance service said.

The driver of the coach was being cut free by fire crews. Road and air ambulances are at the scene.
A Highways Agency Spokesman said there were no plans to close the M1.

A spokesman for Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have been working to release the driver, said the coach appeared to have been the only vehicle involved in the crash.

Casualties are being taken to two hospitals, Milton Keynes and John Radcliffe in Oxford.

An air ambulance has transported one casualty to hospital.

(BBC)

John · 09-03-2007, 11:58 AM

From what I am hearing locally the hospital is on a major incident alert.

There are a number of traffic jams around junction 14 of the M1 motorway.

John · 09-03-2007, 12:03 PM

The accident happened on the slip road to the Welcome Break Service station. There are 2 air ambulances there now.

John · 09-03-2007, 12:56 PM

In a statement, National Express said the coach was the 777 service travelling from Birmingham to Stansted, with 33 passengers on board.
The coach left Birmingham at 1400BST to Luton Airport and was to arrive at Stansted Airport at 1755 BST and had recently stopped at Coventry.

**Captain Larry** · 09-03-2007, 06:49 PM

Too much speed for the sharp turn on the exit ramp?