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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Lorry driver arrested after 'migrants' found on M6 | Lorry driver arrested after 'migrants' found on M6 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A lorry driver is being questioned after police stopped a vehicle on the M6 near Stoke and found 27 suspected migrants in the back. | A lorry driver is being questioned after police stopped a vehicle on the M6 near Stoke and found 27 suspected migrants in the back. |
| Staffordshire Police arrested the man, 42, on suspicion of "facilitating the illegal entry" of people into the UK. | Staffordshire Police arrested the man, 42, on suspicion of "facilitating the illegal entry" of people into the UK. |
| Officers acted after receiving reports flagging up concerns about the welfare of those in the wagon, the force said. | Officers acted after receiving reports flagging up concerns about the welfare of those in the wagon, the force said. |
| It is understood they were medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview. | It is understood they were medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview. |
| Part of the motorway was closed from about 16:00 GMT - causing lengthy tailbacks - as police searched vehicles near Keele services. | Part of the motorway was closed from about 16:00 GMT - causing lengthy tailbacks - as police searched vehicles near Keele services. |
| The lorry was stopped on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 15 and 16 at around 17:45. | The lorry was stopped on the northbound carriageway between Junctions 15 and 16 at around 17:45. |
| 'People escaped' | 'People escaped' |
| Driver Danny Ellis said he saw 30 to 40 police cars pass him on the northbound side of the motorway, and said three or four lorries were stopped and searched. | Driver Danny Ellis said he saw 30 to 40 police cars pass him on the northbound side of the motorway, and said three or four lorries were stopped and searched. |
| "We were told for safety to get back in our cars and lock them," he said. | "We were told for safety to get back in our cars and lock them," he said. |
| "We were told a lot of people escaped and ran from the back of these lorries." | "We were told a lot of people escaped and ran from the back of these lorries." |
| The 30-year-old telecoms worker said he could see men on the ground being treated by paramedics. | The 30-year-old telecoms worker said he could see men on the ground being treated by paramedics. |
| Another eyewitness told BBC Radio Stoke he saw police stopping lorries. | Another eyewitness told BBC Radio Stoke he saw police stopping lorries. |
| He said: "They pulled a white trailer up on the side and they were shouting 'are they in here?' | He said: "They pulled a white trailer up on the side and they were shouting 'are they in here?' |
| "The driver opened the vehicle and I just watched 15 of them come out." | "The driver opened the vehicle and I just watched 15 of them come out." |
| Police said a number of people fled but were eventually detained, with none reporting serious injuries. | Police said a number of people fled but were eventually detained, with none reporting serious injuries. |
| Deputy Chief Constable Nick Baker, said: "We were acting on information where there was real concern for people in distress and therefore it was necessary for us to take immediate and appropriate action." | Deputy Chief Constable Nick Baker, said: "We were acting on information where there was real concern for people in distress and therefore it was necessary for us to take immediate and appropriate action." |
| He apologised to motorists for disruption on the motorway, which Highways England said was not fully reopened until about 22:00 GMT. | He apologised to motorists for disruption on the motorway, which Highways England said was not fully reopened until about 22:00 GMT. |
| Among those caught up in huge tailbacks were hundreds of Burton Albion supporters who had been travelling to their team's Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which they lost 9-0. | Among those caught up in huge tailbacks were hundreds of Burton Albion supporters who had been travelling to their team's Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which they lost 9-0. |