'Wrong way' M6 crash: Children among five killed near Tebay services
Photo credit: North Yorkshire Weather Updates
Five individuals lost their lives in an accident on the M6 on Tuesday.
BBC News, North East and Cumbria Section
BBC News, covering the North East and Cumbria.
A tragic accident on the M6 has resulted in the deaths of five individuals, among them two children. Authorities believe that the crash may have been caused by a vehicle going the wrong way.
A 42-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman from Glasgow, who were in a Toyota along with two boys aged 15 and seven, were declared dead at the location of the accident.
A 40-year-old man from Cambridgeshire, who was driving a Skoda, also lost his life.
Cumbria Police stated that they responded to reports of a Skoda driving south in the northbound lane.
The accident took place on the northbound lane, just beyond the Tebay services, on Tuesday at 4:04 PM BST.
A third child, a seven-year-old boy who was traveling in the Toyota, was transported by air ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle due to severe injuries.
Photo credit: Chris Isles
Cumbria Police announced that they responded to calls about a vehicle going the wrong way.
The accident took place on the M6 highway heading north, just past the Tebay services.
Witness Chris Isles mentioned that he was trapped in stopped traffic close to the accident for over three hours and could "see black smoke and fire."
The 58-year-old individual from Kirkoswald, close to Penrith, expressed, "From my perspective, it looked like a car was on fire."
I was parked and noticed the smoke.
"I must have been only two minutes late to see it take place."
Mr. Isles mentioned that he stepped out of his campervan and noticed a "fairly large fire," expressing that he felt "truly surprised."
The Great North Air Ambulance Service transported a young patient to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Sheila Baxter was on her way from Milnthorpe to Lockerbie with her sister and a friend when they found themselves stuck in traffic due to the accident.
She described the situation as "a tragedy" and went on to say, "It’s not really a bother for me, because when you learn about what actually occurred, it becomes clear that my minor troubles pale in comparison to someone whose life has been completely disrupted."
The highway was closed between Junction 36 and Junction 39 on Tuesday afternoon, but it was completely reopened during the early hours of the morning.
The Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service reported that they dispatched four fire engines from Penrith, Kendal, and Shap, and stayed at the location of the accident for several hours.
In addition to the Great North Air Ambulance, the North West Ambulance Service and the volunteer Beep Doctors were present as well.
The police are asking anyone who saw anything or has any details to step forward and help.
Further information provided by PA Media.
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