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Five die in two accidents on M6 Five die in two accidents on M6
(about 2 hours later)
Five people were killed in two separate crashes with an hour of each other on the M6 in Staffordshire.Five people were killed in two separate crashes with an hour of each other on the M6 in Staffordshire.
Four of the victims were in two cars which were involved in a ten vehicle pile-up at about 1940 BST.Four of the victims were in two cars which were involved in a ten vehicle pile-up at about 1940 BST.
The accident happened on the northbound carriageway near junction 11A at Great Saredon.The accident happened on the northbound carriageway near junction 11A at Great Saredon.
Earlier, just after 1900 BST, a woman was killed when a van overturned on the southbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16 near Keele.Earlier, just after 1900 BST, a woman was killed when a van overturned on the southbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16 near Keele.
Extensive damage was caused to the vehicles involved. It's quite a phenomenal tragedy Police spokesmanExtensive damage was caused to the vehicles involved. It's quite a phenomenal tragedy Police spokesman
Many motorists stuck on the southbound carriageway for up to five hours abandoned their vehicles and walked to the nearby motorway services.
The Highways Agency later said that although some traffic was moving, the operation was being hampered by the number of vehicles abandoned by their drivers.
In the multiple pile-up a number of people had to be cut free from their vehicles with two taken to hospital suffering from suspected spinal injuries.In the multiple pile-up a number of people had to be cut free from their vehicles with two taken to hospital suffering from suspected spinal injuries.
'Horrific' accident
A spokesman for the Central Motorway Police Group Regional Control Centre said: "The inquiry is in its very early stages. It's a very horrific accident."A spokesman for the Central Motorway Police Group Regional Control Centre said: "The inquiry is in its very early stages. It's a very horrific accident."
Paramedics were at the scene in less than 10 minutes and five emergency doctors were also called.Paramedics were at the scene in less than 10 minutes and five emergency doctors were also called.
A lorry driver was cut free from his vehicle and received treatment for whiplash.A lorry driver was cut free from his vehicle and received treatment for whiplash.
The spokesman added: "Extensive damage was caused to the vehicles involved. It's quite a phenomenal tragedy.The spokesman added: "Extensive damage was caused to the vehicles involved. It's quite a phenomenal tragedy.
"From our viewpoint, despite being at the scene within eight minutes, sadly it was to no avail for those four people.""From our viewpoint, despite being at the scene within eight minutes, sadly it was to no avail for those four people."
The first collision involved one vehicle, a white Mercedes van. A female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.The first collision involved one vehicle, a white Mercedes van. A female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
The control centre spokesman said: "We don't know why the collisions happened. We would ask anyone who knows anything to come forward."The control centre spokesman said: "We don't know why the collisions happened. We would ask anyone who knows anything to come forward."