12 hurt, seven taken to hospital after M6 pile-up in Cumbria
Last updated at 18:22, Sunday, 12 February 2012
Up to 12 people have been injured - one seriously - in a six vehicle pile-up in dense fog on the M6 in Cumbria.
The man thought to be seriously hurt is 19 years old.
A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said six patients have been taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and one to Penrith hospital.
Three of those injured were men aged 21 and were taken to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance’s rapid response cars.
The remaining four were taken by the ambulance service.
Their condition has been described as “stable” and “non life-threatening”.
The walking wounded and those with more minor injuries were treated at the scene.
Meanwhile, there were long tailbacks for drivers.
The motorway was closed at junction 39 and there was stationary traffic northbound between J39, B6261 (Shap) and J40, A66 (Penrith).
The Great North Air Ambulance Service dispatched its rapid response car together with two doctors at 1.15pm today.
Air ambulance helicopters were not scrambled because of the thick fog in the area.
Jim Entwistle, Great North Air Ambulance public relations manager, said: “This is exactly what the rapid response car is for.
“There was no chance of flying the helicopter in those conditions, which are believed to have played a part in the original incident.”
One motorist reported that visibility was very poor because of the fog and that he could only see less than 100 feet in front of him.
He added that there were tailbacks for “many miles”, from south of junction 39 up to Penrith and that traffic was at standstill in places.
Traffic was being diverted from the northbound carriage along the A6 via Shap, Hackthorpe, Lowther and Penrith.
Police have urged motorists to drive with extreme care.
The M6 reopened at about 4.15pm.
Were you on the M6 today? Were you caught up in the crash or its aftermath? Tell us what things were like here...
First published at 15:04, Sunday, 12 February 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Drivers seriously need to slown down in these conditions they drive far too fast should be doing max 40 mph
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I've heard it said that police north of border are tougher on speeding. Is making haste on south of border a contribution factor. Laxness of police curtailing speeding to be proven? Perhaps if insurance companies refused to compensate, or raise premiums, excess on policies, sky high fees for damage, or refusing new car replacement to proven bad drivers of motor-cars. Would it not just make it safe to drive...
This as said is not believed a pure accident but down to shocking driving standards. CNDR opened on tuesday and speed of cars in city was noticeable higher and despite Belle Vue's flashing 30mph sign did anyone observe them, or see any police presence. Trying to cross Stanwix's Scotland road was easier but one had to be quicker on ones pegs. All seems down to as police later said, Speed.Posted by Roy on 15 February 2012 at 09:23