My old neck of the woods - M5 nr. Taunton, Somerset.

7 dead 51 injured after crash that turned into fire ball. Death toll set to rise as they search the wreckage. Some vehicles have apparently been "burnt to the ground"
Police saying it's the worst crash in the UK since 1991

Very, very grim stuff - my thoughts to those affected.



http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/no...torway-pile-up

Indeed, this is absolutely horrific and my thoughts go out to all those involved, either directly or indirectly.

It is pretty close to home for me too ... a good friend said that had he left Cornwall five minutes later (for London), he may well have been caught up in it. And my sister had been planning to drive back up to Somerset from Cornwall last night but postponed it until this morning (and has obviously had to take a different non-motorway route).

no doubt a major factor was everyone driving far too close....

Very grim stuff, indeed.. worse time of night too - everyone desperate to get home after a long day and tired too no doubt.

A truly horrible thing to have happened.

Saw this this morning on the news - shocking, really shocking. And not so far from my in-laws either.

I'm sure there will be some serious analysis going on but I couldn't help but think - how could such a thing happen? There were so many vehicles involved

Very sad day indeed.

Whilst still speculation, a picture is emerging of a terrible 'perfect storm'.
The weather was dreadful - rain & fog, it was dark, it was Friday night & that bit of the M5 was even busier than usual as nearby Bridgewater was diverting traffic as they were having their bonfire festival, which is one of the largest in Europe. There is also speculation that another nearby fireworks display may have contributed to the appalling driving conditions.

In a situation like that, it only takes one poor sod to fk up & then physics takes over.