This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/17/six-dead-in-birmingham-crash

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Six dead in Birmingham crash involving six vehicles Six dead in Birmingham crash involving six cars
(about 1 hour later)
Six people have been killed and a seventh critically injured after a multi-vehicle crash in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday morning.Six people have been killed and a seventh critically injured after a multi-vehicle crash in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday morning.
West Midlands ambulance service said six cars, including a seven-seater taxi, were involved in the collision in an underpass on Lee Bank Middleway at 1.10am.West Midlands ambulance service said six cars, including a seven-seater taxi, were involved in the collision in an underpass on Lee Bank Middleway at 1.10am.
The six who died at the scene included the driver of the taxi and his two passengers, a man and a woman, as well as three men who were thrown from a car during the collision.The six who died at the scene included the driver of the taxi and his two passengers, a man and a woman, as well as three men who were thrown from a car during the collision.
West Midlands police has launched an investigation into what it described as the “very difficult and upsetting” circumstances of the collision and asked witnesses to contact the force on 101.West Midlands police has launched an investigation into what it described as the “very difficult and upsetting” circumstances of the collision and asked witnesses to contact the force on 101.
A West Midlands ambulance service spokesman described the crash scene as “extremely complex and distressing” and that it involved three primary cars, plus another three who tried to avoid the earlier collision.A West Midlands ambulance service spokesman described the crash scene as “extremely complex and distressing” and that it involved three primary cars, plus another three who tried to avoid the earlier collision.
He said: “There were six vehicles involved in the crash scene, which was extensive.He said: “There were six vehicles involved in the crash scene, which was extensive.
“In the first car there were a man and a woman. 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. They were taken to Heartlands hospital by ambulance for further assessment.“In the first car there were a man and a woman. 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. They were taken to Heartlands hospital by ambulance for further assessment.
“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. The man and woman in the back were rapidly extricated.“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. 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 man was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham with the Merit trauma doctor travelling with the crew. Sadly, he died at hospital.”“Unfortunately, it was not possible to save the woman and she was also confirmed dead at the scene. The man was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham with the Merit trauma doctor travelling with the crew. Sadly, he died at hospital.”
“There were four men from the third car. All had been ejected. Tragically, three of them were confirmed dead at the scene. The fourth was also taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham with the critical care car doctor travelling with the crew. He was said to be in a critical condition on arrival.”“There were four men from the third car. All had been ejected. Tragically, three of them were confirmed dead at the scene. The fourth was also taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham with the critical care car doctor travelling with the crew. He was said to be in a critical condition on arrival.”
There were three further cars involved in a pile-up which had tried to avoid the crash scene, the spokesman said. From these cars, only two suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.There were three further cars involved in a pile-up which had tried to avoid the crash scene, the spokesman said. From these cars, only two suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
Two ambulances were on scene within seven minutes and in total, five ambulances, three paramedic officers, the hazardous area response team, a trauma doctor and the air ambulance were all sent to the scene.Two ambulances were on scene within seven minutes and in total, five ambulances, three paramedic officers, the hazardous area response team, a trauma doctor and the air ambulance were all sent to the scene.
The crash happened at 1.11am on one of the busiest nights of the year, as Christmas revellers made their way home on one of Birmingham’s busiest roads.The crash happened at 1.11am on one of the busiest nights of the year, as Christmas revellers made their way home on one of Birmingham’s busiest roads.
On Sunday morning family members of the victims arrived at the scene, desperate to find out what happened.On Sunday morning family members of the victims arrived at the scene, desperate to find out what happened.
One passerby, who asked not to be named, said: “It is really horrific. When I saw the scene it reminded me of the pictures of Diana’s car crash.One passerby, who asked not to be named, said: “It is really horrific. When I saw the scene it reminded me of the pictures of Diana’s car crash.
“A man turned up here and said the police had knocked on his door this morning and told him one of his relatives had died in the crash.“A man turned up here and said the police had knocked on his door this morning and told him one of his relatives had died in the crash.
“He didn’t know what had happened to the second person in the car so he was at the scene trying to find out. It must have been horrendous for him. People have told me there were bodies scattered across the carriageway.”“He didn’t know what had happened to the second person in the car so he was at the scene trying to find out. It must have been horrendous for him. People have told me there were bodies scattered across the carriageway.”
The West Midlands fire service said 40 firefighters helped in the aftermath of the “horrific” crash.The West Midlands fire service said 40 firefighters helped in the aftermath of the “horrific” crash.
Area commander Jason Campbell said: “The first West Midlands fire service crews arrived in less than four minutes and were met with a complex scene, spread over some distance.Area commander Jason Campbell said: “The first West Midlands fire service crews arrived in less than four minutes and were met with a complex scene, spread over some distance.
“Our firefighters’ actions involved stabilising vehicles, releasing the dead and injured, as well as administering CPR and first aid.“Our firefighters’ actions involved stabilising vehicles, releasing the dead and injured, as well as administering CPR and first aid.
“All of the emergency services worked together and co-ordinated their response in extremely challenging circumstances, doing all they possibly could to minimise the loss of life.”“All of the emergency services worked together and co-ordinated their response in extremely challenging circumstances, doing all they possibly could to minimise the loss of life.”
Sgt Alan Hands, of West Midlands police, offered the force’s condolences to the victims of the crash. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the families of those who have very sadly lost their lives this morning and those who have been injured or caught up in this incident,” he said.Sgt Alan Hands, of West Midlands police, offered the force’s condolences to the victims of the crash. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the families of those who have very sadly lost their lives this morning and those who have been injured or caught up in this incident,” he said.
Police earlier told the public the road was expected to be closed for a “very long time”:Police earlier told the public the road was expected to be closed for a “very long time”:
Police, @WestMidsFire & @OFFICIALWMAS are responding to a very serious crash on Lee Bank Middleway in Edgbaston, Birmingham near to the tunnel which goes beneath Bristol Street. Call received at 1.11am Sun 17/12. Avoid area. Road will be closed for a very long time.Police, @WestMidsFire & @OFFICIALWMAS are responding to a very serious crash on Lee Bank Middleway in Edgbaston, Birmingham near to the tunnel which goes beneath Bristol Street. Call received at 1.11am Sun 17/12. Avoid area. Road will be closed for a very long time.