UK rugby club fireworks linked to deadly British crash

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Motorway fireball: At least seven dead and 51 injured in horrific crash on M5 described as ‘worst ever seen by emergency services’

British police say smoke from a fireworks display may be linked to the 34-car pile-up on a major highway that killed seven people and injured 51 reports the NZHerald.

Assistant Chief Constable Anthony Bangham says witnesses had reported dense smoke that made driving almost impossible at the scene of Friday’s collision on the highway in southwestern England.

He said Sunday police are now investigating a fireworks show that took place around the time of the fatal crash near Taunton in southwest England.

Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reported the fireworks may have come from a display at the Taunton Rugby Club, near the carriageway.

The paper quoted senior officers as saying they were focusing ‘very closely’ on the event, and that forensic teams had arrived at the club early yesterday morning and sealed off several pitches.

The fireworks display was one of many organized over the weekend to mark Guy Fawkes Day, an annual commemoration of the English revolutionary who tried to blow up Parliament in the 17th century.

Police confirm at least seven people have been killed and several more have suffered life-changing injuries
Death toll could rise as emergency services admit people may still be trapped in ‘burnt and unrecognisable’ vehicles
Police: ‘For a motorway incident this is just about as big as it gets. It was a highly complex and traumatic incident’
Dramatic scenes as motorists try to pull others free from burning wreckage as a huge fireball engulfs the carriageway
Weather could be a significant factor in the crash and a firework display was going on at the time
Motorway expected to be closed for 24 hours along 18-mile stretch
Emergency number for concerned relatives: 0800 092 0410

By Ian Gallagher and Nick Constable

Last updated at 10:29 PM on 5th November 2011

At least seven people were killed and 51 injured in a horrific crash on the M5 motorway described by the emergency services today as one of the worst they have ever seen.

There are fears the death toll could soar even higher as police said they believe bodies may still be trapped in vehicles which have been left ‘burnt and unrecognisable’. Emergency services will work through the night in a bid to search for more victims.

The smash on the northbound carriageway near Taunton, Somerset, involved 34 vehicles, including four lorries. Police said the vehicles were ‘immediately alight’ following the crash as a ‘massive fireball’ engulfed the carriageway.

For pictures, video and full story read The Daily Mail. The thoughts and sincere wishes of those of us at MMA go out to the victims, families, and friends of those killed in this terrible accident.

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Peter Lake

Peter Lake hails from the Midwest, but is now living in Germany. He is a professional writer who spent many years honing his craft at a well known newspaper. Peter originally sent an article to us through the citizen journalist program and decided to stay. We are glad he did.

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