Eight people killed in crash involving minibus and two lorries on M1 near Newport Pagnell

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Six men and two women are dead and four others have been taken to hospital after a crash on the M1, Thames Valley Police has said.

The crash, involving two lorries and a minibus from the Nottingham area, happened near the town of Newport Pagnell, in Buckinghamshire, at about 3.15am.

All eight victims were travelling in the minibus as were the four injured passengers, one of whom was a five-year-old girl.

A police spokesperson said: “Six men and two women sadly died at the scene.

“A woman, a man and a five-year-old girl who were also travelling in the minibus were taken to hospital, where they all remain with serious, life-threatening injuries.”

He added that another woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

“Officers are working to inform the loved ones of those who died and specially trained liaison officers are supporting them.

“Some of those involved were visiting the UK from India, and we are working to keep the families abroad informed.”

Images posted online suggested the crash took place near an exit ramp, and showed the wrecked minibus had been almost totally flattened in the collision.

The cabs of the HGVs were also smashed.

Both lorry drivers have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remain in custody, police said.

One, a 31-year-old from Worcestershire, is also suspected of driving while over the alcohol limit. The other man is 53 and from Stoke on Trent.

One of the lorries belonged to the mail courier company FedEx.

In a statement to The Independent, FedEx said: “We are aware of the tragic accident that occurred last night on the M1 motorway junction 14 in the UK with a FedEx truck involved.

“Our deepest thoughts and concerns are with all of those involved.

“Safety is of the utmost importance to FedEx, and we are cooperating fully with authorities but have no further information at this time.”

Thames Valley Police said all three vehicles were travelling in the same direction, and that the minibus was believed to have come from the Nottingham area.

The motorway has re-opened southbound between Northampton and Milton Keynes.

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons, of the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, said: “I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us.

“Anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation should call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101, quoting URN 203 of 26/8.”

The second HGV belonged to AIM Logistics.

The company’s director, Ismail Elmagdoub, said: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones and also those whom have been injured at this very sad time.

“Road safety and compliance is of the utmost importance to AIM Logistics and we are continuing to assist the police as much as possible with their inquiries.”