Highways thank ‘patient and understanding’ motorists after fatal M1 crash which closed the road for 20 hours
Two men aged 87 and 27 were killed during a horrific head-on collision on the border of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire on Monday after a pensioner drove the wrong way down the M1.
Emergency services were called to the M1 between junction 25 (Nottingham/Derby) and 24 (East Midlands Airport/Loughborough) at around 2.20am.
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Hide AdThe elderly driver of the blue Mazda Premacy was driving the wrong way along the carriageway before he smashed into a white Ford Transit van.
He died at the scene of the crash along with a 27-year-old man who was a passenger in the van.
A spokesman for Highways England said: “After liaison with Nottinghamshire Police, it was confirmed that the car involved in this incident was heading northbound on the southbound carriageway of the M1, prior to the collision.”
Emergency services worked together to turn around any traffic trapped at the scene and diversions were put in place.
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Hide AdRepair work continued throughout the day to the M1 including damage to the central reservation and the road surface.
The M1 was fully reopened by around 9.30pm with normal traffic conditions by around 10pm.
A spokesman for Highways England added: “Highways England would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding, during this lengthy incident.”