Shortened Volvo

[Jeremy]

Happened this morning - text & photos from BBC News website. Looks like the truck hit the Volvo coach from the rear:




Two people killed and 51 hurt in M11 Essex coach crash

Two people have been killed and 51 injured - eight of them seriously - in a crash which closed the M11 in both directions in Essex and Cambridgeshire.

The crash involving a coach and a lorry took place on the southbound carriageway in the early hours.

The casualties were taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

The road has been closed between junctions eight and nine.

The northbound carriageway was closed to allow access to a recovery crane and police hoped to have it open again by noon on Saturday.

The southbound carriageway needs more clear-up work and repairs to the nearside crash-barrier. Police hope to reopen it by 1500 BST on Saturday.

Diversions are in place via the A505, A10 and A120.

The A11 has also been closed southbound between the A505 and junction nine of the M11.

East of England Ambulance Service said 43 people had suffered minor injuries and eight had been seriously hurt.

The crash happened near junction nine for Saffron Walden and is causing long delays for people heading to Stansted Airport and the 2,000 Guineas race meeting at Newmarket.
Firefighters fought to free the lorry driver who was trapped in his cab

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 0230 BST.

The lorry, which was carrying carrots, spilled its load on to the road and was left on its side on an embankment with the driver trapped.

The coach, operated by West Yorkshire-based Ross Travel Group, was upright on the hard shoulder of the motorway with severe damage to its side and rear and an elderly woman trapped on board.

Firefighters from Essex and Cambridgeshire attended the scene and teams used rescue equipment to free the lorry driver and the coach passenger.

Essex Police confirmed the driver of the lorry and a coach passenger had been killed. Their next of kin are being informed.

Three coach passengers are being treated in hospital for back injuries.

All other passengers taken to hospital have now been released.

They are being taken by coach to their homes or other destinations.

[chev49]

From the pictures, I am amazed that the bus wasn't shortened up more, given that the truck on its side hit it.