Motorist killed in M1 Northamptonshire lorry smash is named
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THE lorry driver killed in a pile-up on a section of the M1 motorway in Northamptonshire on Thursday afternoon has been named by police.
Alan Norman, aged 48, of Nuneaton, died when the vehicle he was driving collided with a coach, another HGV and a Transit box van just north of Watford Gap.
The lorries, which were both travelling northbound, collided just before the M45 turn-off causing a crash involving the National Express coach and the van.
One of the lorries was carrying a pre-fabricated building, which hit the vehicle travelling behind, however, it is understood the pre-fab building was not the cause of the crash.
The crash happened at about 2pm and caused tailbacks of up to 22 miles at the height of rush hour.
Motorists endured lengthy, with the M1 closed northbound between Junction 16 and 17 for several hours to allow emergency services to clear the scene and carry out preliminary investigations.
Drivers were not allowed to join the northbound carriageway at either Junction 15A (Northampton) or Junction 16 (Nether Heyford) and traffic was diverted along the A45, causing lengthy tailbacks on a number of rural roads.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “The motorway was closed between junctions 16 and 17 and the air ambulance was able to land at the scene.
“The tailbacks stretched back to junction 14 at Milton Keynes and motorists were asked to find alternative routes due to the seriousness of the accident and resulting delays.”
The death is only the fifth on the county’s road network this calendar year.
In previous years the death toll on Northamptonshire’s roads has been significantly higher. Last year, a total of 26 people were killed over the 12 month period, the lowest figure ever recorded.
The county’s Casualty Reduction Partnership was disbanded as part of the Government’s cuts process, prompting fears it could result in the number of deaths increasing.
Northamptonshrie Police is appealing for witnesses, particularly anybody who was travelling on the National Express coach which was the Number 450 service from London Victoria to Nottingham, which left London at midday.
Anyone with information can call police on 03000 111 222 - alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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