Two men arrested after eight killed in M1 crash near Milton Keynes

Eight people have died after a crash involving two lorries and a minibus on the M1 near Milton Keynes.

Two men – a 31-year-old from Worcestershire and a 53-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent – have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The former is also in custody on suspicion of driving while over the alcohol limit following the collision at just before 3.15am on Saturday.

The vehicles collided while travelling on the southbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 14.

Four people, including one child, were taken to hospital with injuries.

All those killed and injured were travelling in the minibus.

Ollie Miller, who drove past the scene on Saturday morning, told Sky News: "It looked horrible, the two lorries were smashed badly and I could see a car or minibus underneath one of the lorries. It was totally destroyed, the car/minibus was basically flat."

It is believed the minibus had travelled from the Nottingham area.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area while emergency services work at the scene.

The southbound carriageway between J15 and J14, close to Newport Pagnell, will remain closed for a significant amount of time, police said.

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons said: "Emergency services are currently on the scene responding to this collision and road closures are in place.

"We would ask all motorists to please avoid the area, use alternative routes and await further updates before attempting to travel on this route. We appreciate motorists’ patience while we deal with this serious incident.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us. Anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation should call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101."

AIM Logistics confirmed its lorry was one of those involved in the crash.

The firm’s director Ismail Elmagdoub said: "One of our vehicles was involved in a serious incident on the M1 southbound, junction 14 this morning at approximately 3am.

"We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the families who have lost loved ones and also those whom have been injured at this very sad time.

"Road safety and compliance is of the utmost importance to AIM Logistics and we are continuing to assist the police as much as possible with their inquiries."

Another crash on the M1 later in the day also closed one lane between junctions 24a and 25 near Nottingham. Emergency services attended but no injuries have yet been reported.

(c) Sky News 2017: Two men arrested after eight killed in M1 crash near Milton Keynes