M1 crash: Eight dead after minibus and two lorries collide near Newport Pagnell as driver arrested for drink driving

M1 crash: Eight dead after minibus and two lorries collide near Newport Pagnell as driver arrested for drink driving

Eight people have died and four people, including a child, have been taken to hospital after their minibus was crushed in a horrific collision with two lorries on the M1 near Newport Pagnell.

The collision involving lorries from FedEx and L M Logistics and a minibus took place shortly before 3.15am on Saturday.

The driver of one of the HGVs has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and and dangerous driving, a further driver has also been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Both are currently in police custody.



Brett Smith fought to save a young girl trapped in the minibus wreckage, giving her his jacket to keep her warm.

"A family has been destroyed. I held a little girl by her arms, trapped inside a vehicle, for a good hour or so with the emergency services and the fire service trying to help.

"I walked home with a blanket that the ambulance service provided me to stay warm because the little girl has got my jacket to keep herself safe. The fire and ambulances services did a really good job."
All the deaths were from the group travelling in the minibus, which had travelled from the Nottingham area towards London, where a weekend of sporting events are taking place.



A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "All of the deceased were travelling in the minibus. The four taken to hospital were also travelling in the minibus of whom one is a child."

He added: "A 31-year-old man from Worcestershire has been arrested on suspicion of one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit.

"Also a 53-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent arrested on suspicion of one count of causing death by dangerous driving. They are both currently in custody."

The southbound carriageway between J15 and J14 is currently closed and is likely to remain closed for a significant amount of time.

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons from the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: “Emergency services are continuing to work at the scene and road closures remain in place. We are aware there are a number of large scale events taking place this weekend and this closure is likely to have a significant impact on traffic disruption, so please allow extra time for your journeys.

“Our thoughts are very much with the families of those involved in this morning’s collision, and we are currently working to locate and inform their next of kins."


Ollie Miller, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, said: "I was driving to the watch the football with my dad when we drove past the two lorries.

"It looked horrible, the two lorries were badly smashed and I could see a vehicle underneath one of the lorries. It was totally destroyed. The minibus was basically flat.

"I feel sorry for all those affected."

A witness told MailOnline: "It's horrific. There is what looks like the remains of the back end of the minibus trapped beneath the FedEx trailer, totally wrecked. There's wreckage along the grass verge and the third lorry is just past the junction.

"It looks like the trailer has become detached as it is at right angles to the cab. There are two big rescues vehicles at the scene using cranes. The road is closed to the previous junction."


Gayle Smith said: "We have just passed this accident, travelling on the Northbound carriageway. The accident looked awful. Thoughts and prayers going out to all victims. Our emergency services doing an amazing job!"

Thousands of motorists have faced gridlock with the road closure.


He said: "Our thoughts are with all those involved in the tragic incident on the M1 this morning and their families.

"South Central Ambulance Service sent to the scene, five ambulance crews, a doctor, two team leaders and two ambulance officers who worked alongside colleagues from East Midlands and East of England Ambulance Services to assess and treat a number of casualties.

"Sadly there have been several fatalities. We have treated four patients for serious or life threatening injuries who have been taken to hospitals in Milton Keynes, Coventry and Birmingham.

"We would like to thank all our SCAS staff and colleagues from across the services who worked hard to respond to this difficult situation."

Motorists are advised to avoid the area while emergency services work at the scene.