Air ambulances, cars flipping, dogs dying – round-up of serious crashes
Emergecny services were called to a crash on the M1 near the entry slip road at junction 8, Hemel Hempstead, on June 26 (Image: Stock/National Highways)
Several serious crashes recently have left some questioning whether it is safe to drive on Hertfordshire's motorways.
From air ambulances rushing people to hospital with life-changing injuries, to dogs dying and a cars flipping, it has been a busy few weeks for the emergency services.
Below we round up some of the worst recent collisions in our area:
Air ambulance called
There were severe delays in the evening of June 26 when a crash occurred on the M1 northbound near the entry slip road at junction 8, Hemel Hempstead.
Police and National Highways introduced diversions as six miles of congestion took hold.
Watford Observer: Police were also called to the scene
Police were also called to the scene (Image: Josh Keld)
A motorcyclist collided with the rear of a grey Volkswagen Touran MPV at around 5pm and delays continued beyond 9pm.
The driver of the motorcycle had to be airlifted to Royal Hospital and was in a critical condition[1].
A 33-year-old man, the driver of the VW, has also been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving.
Five-vehicle crash
Five vehicles were involved in a crash on the M25 clockwise between junctions 23 and 24 on June 28[2].
Watford Observer: A photo from the M25 on June 28
A photo from the M25 on June 28 (Image: Gary Jones)
Police were called at around 2.38pm. Traffic officers, a fire engine, and recovery vehicles also went to the crash.
Although the crash was initially reported as "damage only", there was "slight injury", according to police.
The loss of two dogs
A woman was airlifted to hospital with life-changing injuries after an M25 crash left two dogs dead[3] on July 2 at around 2pm.
The collision between a Volkswagen Passat Sport and a HGV happened near Rickmansworth, anticlockwise between junctions 16 and 17.
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
The Volkswagen driver, a woman in her 60s, was airlifted to hospital with life-changing injuries.
Four dogs were also in the car and two of them died, while the others were taken to the vets for treatment.
Car found on roof
A Ford fiesta was found on its roof in a motorway crash on the M25 anticlockwise, between junctions 22 and 21A on June 19 at around 8.40am.
According to Hertfordshire Constabulary, a lorry and the car were involved in the crash.
Crews from four Herts Fire and Rescue engines were first on the scene and provided “trauma care” until the ambulance arrived.
Then the East of England Ambulance Service took one person to the hospital while another was given first aid at the scene.
References
- ^ airlifted to Royal Hospital and was in a critical condition (www.watfordobserver.co.uk)
- ^ M25 clockwise between junctions 23 and 24 on June 28 (www.watfordobserver.co.uk)
- ^ airlifted to hospital with life-changing injuries after an M25 crash left two dogs dead (www.watfordobserver.co.uk)