M5 inquest begins
Avon and Somerset Constabulary has officially opened an inquest into the recent M5 incident.
Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour gave an indication of the size of the task facing his force in determining the cause of the 34-vehicle pile-up where seven people died and 51 were injured.
Courtiour, who is leading the investigation, said his team has been “working non stop” in an effort to establish what happened on Friday 4 November around 8.25pm between junction 24 and 25.
“Those investigations are still very much ongoing,” he commented. “My job is to continue to conduct a professional, thorough and detailed investigation, in the hope we can provide answers to the grieving families who have lost loved ones.
“I am leading a team of more than 30 officers and staff, bringing together a vast range of expertise and skills, from roads policing, collision investigation, local CID officers and major crime investigation.
“Other experts have also been asked to assist us and we are liaising closely with other agencies and our partners in the emergency services.”
Huge support from the public has led to almost 200 actions for the team to follow up.
“We are working hard to speak with everyone as quickly as possible,” he added.
“However we need to do so sensitively because some have been injured and understandably are deeply distressed and upset by what they saw.”
“Heartbreaking”
Lorry drivers Terry Brice, 55, of South Gloucestershire and Kye Thomas, 38, from Cornwall were two of the lives lost during last Friday’s terrible tragedy.
Tara Davis, Transport Manager for Samworth Brothers Distribution, described the news as “heartbreaking”.
In a statement, she wrote:“Kye had driven for us for 15 years and was a very well known and respected member of our team.
“He was a genuine and warm friend to everyone here. We also knew him as a dedicated husband and father.”
Max Johnson, Operations Manager, added: “Terry only joined Samworth Brothers Distribution in Bristol just over six months ago but his friendly and generous nature will be missed by all of us here.”
Post-mortem examinations failed to determine an exact cause for Terry and Kye.
See also:
No comments yet
