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Birmingham crash: Six dead in multi-vehicle smash Birmingham crash: Six dead in 'horrific' smash
(35 minutes later)
Six people have been killed in a "horrific" multiple-vehicle crash. Six people have been killed in a "horrific" crash in Birmingham.
The accident happened on Belgrave Middleway in Birmingham at about 01:00 GMT and involved multiple vehicles. Three vehicles were involved in the accident on Belgrave Middleway, near Edgbaston, at about 01:00 GMT.
The driver of a taxi died at the scene near Edgbaston, along with a female passenger, while a male passenger died later in hospital. Three men in one car died at the scene and a fourth is critically injured in hospital. The driver of a taxi and his two passengers were also killed.
Four men in a car were all thrown from their vehicle and three of them died at the crash site. The fourth is in a critical condition. West Midlands Police described the scene as "very difficult and upsetting" and said officers were investigating how the crash happened.
West Midlands Police described the scene as "very difficult and upsetting" and said the stretch of road from Islington Row to Bristol Street was closed. The road has been closed and police have appealed for witnesses.
West Midlands Fire Service sent 40 firefighters to the crash site, which West Midlands Ambulance Service described as "extensive". The first car in the crash had suffered extensive damage but, "astonishingly", the man and the woman inside managed to get out with relatively minor injuries, an ambulance service spokesman said.
Supt Sean Phillips from West Midlands Police said it would take "some time to unpick the scene and understand exactly what's happened". "The second vehicle, a black cab, was on its side. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
"In the first car, there were a man and a woman," a spokesman for the ambulance service said. The female passenger was also confirmed dead at the scene, while her male companion was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he died.
"The vehicle had suffered very extensive damage but astonishingly, despite the damage, the pair had managed to get out and had suffered relatively minor injuries. There were four men in the third car, and all had been thrown from the vehicle, the ambulance spokesman said.
"The second vehicle, a black cab, was on its side. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save the driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene. "Tragically, three of them were confirmed dead at the scene."
"The man and woman in the back were rapidly extricated. Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the woman and she was also confirmed dead at the scene."
The male passenger was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham but he too died.
Of the four men thrown from the third car, the spokesman said: "Tragically, three of them were confirmed dead at the scene."
The fourth was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is in a critical condition.The fourth was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is in a critical condition.
There were three other cars caught up in the crash that suffered minor damage while trying to avoid it. Three other cars were caught up in the crash and suffered minor damage trying to avoid it.
'Harrowing' Michelle Brotherton, from the ambulance service, said her staff had dealt with 13 patients in total.
Supt Phillips said the police officer in charge of the investigation had described it as a "very harrowing scene".
Michelle Brotherton, from the ambulance service, said they had dealt with 13 patients in total.
As well as those who died and the man in a critical condition, four people were taken to Heartlands Hospital where their condition is believed to be non-life threatening.As well as those who died and the man in a critical condition, four people were taken to Heartlands Hospital where their condition is believed to be non-life threatening.
A further two patients were "discharged on scene".A further two patients were "discharged on scene".
Road gritted
Supt Sean Phillips said the police officer in charge of the investigation had described it as a "very harrowing scene".
He said it was "too early" to speculate on the cause of the accident.
"It will take some time to unpick and just understand exactly what's happened. It would be unfair for me to speculate at this time," he said.
He confirmed the road had been gritted at 17:00 GMT the previous evening.
At the scene: Riyah Collins, BBC West MidlandsAt the scene: Riyah Collins, BBC West Midlands
Metres of police cordon tape and a number of vehicles have been used to seal off the road, and blue forensic tents can be seen below in the underpass.Metres of police cordon tape and a number of vehicles have been used to seal off the road, and blue forensic tents can be seen below in the underpass.
The cordon stretches at least 100 metres either side of the Middleway and I can see numerous police officers.The cordon stretches at least 100 metres either side of the Middleway and I can see numerous police officers.
As locals find out what happened, they all say how tragic it is that six people should die so close to Christmas.As locals find out what happened, they all say how tragic it is that six people should die so close to Christmas.
It is not yet known what caused the crash, but locals are telling me there has long been a problem with speeding and racing on this road and the adjoining Bristol Street.It is not yet known what caused the crash, but locals are telling me there has long been a problem with speeding and racing on this road and the adjoining Bristol Street.
A car involved in a separate crash nearby just a week ago is still on the side of the road.A car involved in a separate crash nearby just a week ago is still on the side of the road.
The accident happened below the underpass on the A38/Bristol Road, where Belgrave Middleway meets Lee Bank Middleway.The accident happened below the underpass on the A38/Bristol Road, where Belgrave Middleway meets Lee Bank Middleway.
One resident who lives opposite said she woke at about 02:00 and saw the emergency crews. The stretch of road from Islington Row to Bristol Street has been closed and is likely to remain so throughout Sunday, police said.
One resident who lives opposite said she woke at about 02:00 GMT and saw the emergency crews.
"This road is really dangerous. Young kids like to challenge themselves and go really fast," she said."This road is really dangerous. Young kids like to challenge themselves and go really fast," she said.
"I can't believe six people have died, and so close to Christmas and New Year. It's shocking.""I can't believe six people have died, and so close to Christmas and New Year. It's shocking."
The road has two lanes either side and a 40mph speed limit.The road has two lanes either side and a 40mph speed limit.
Area Commander Jason Campbell, of West Midlands Fire Service, described it as a "horrific" incident.Area Commander Jason Campbell, of West Midlands Fire Service, described it as a "horrific" incident.
He said the crash scene was complex and "spread over some distance". He said the crash site was complex and "spread over some distance".
"Our firefighters' actions involved stabilising vehicles, releasing the dead and injured, as well as administering CPR and first aid."
Any witnesses to the crash have been asked to contact West Midlands Police.Any witnesses to the crash have been asked to contact West Midlands Police.
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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