Latest news with #SouthCentralAmbulance
The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
Second child dies three weeks after minibus accident on M4 slip road
An 11-year-old boy has become the second child to die after a minibus overturned on a motorway slip road in Berkshire last month, police have said. Othniel Adoma, from Bracknell, died on Thursday, more than three weeks after the single-vehicle crash. The white Ford Transit minibus overturned on the exit slip road at junction 10 of the M4 eastbound, near Wokingham, on the afternoon of 11 May. A six-year-old boy, who has not been named, also died in the collision. Five other children who were injured have subsequently been discharged from hospital. Investigating officer DS Lyndsey Blackaby, of the serious collision investigation unit at Thames Valley police, said in a statement on Saturday: 'My thoughts, and the thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley police, are with the family and friends of Othniel Adoma. 'Othniel's family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.' No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, the force added. South Central ambulance service said it was first alerted to the crash at 2.24pm with its first units arriving at the scene eight minutes later. Five critical care units, including two air ambulances, attended the incident along with six ambulances. The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 11 and 8 for approximately three hours after the crash.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Bicester fire: ‘Multiple explosions' heard at former RAF airfield as black smoke fills sky
A major fire has erupted at the former RAF Bicester site in Oxfordshire, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and prompting a large-scale emergency response. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing loud explosions and smoke bellowing from the site. Around ten fire and rescue crews are currently battling the blaze, working to contain the flames and prevent further damage. Local residents have been urged to stay indoors and keep their windows closed due to the heavy smoke. Emergency services were reached the scene just before 7pm on Thursday, with the council confirming that road closures and special measures remain in place at 6am on Friday morning. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: '10 fire and rescue crews are currently attending an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion from 18:39 this evening.' 'We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.' A South Central Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We were called at 18.57 this evening to reports of a serious incident at Bicester Motion. 'We sent a robust command structure to support staff and are currently on scene as the incident is ongoing.' Local councillor Sam Holland said the blaze is at Bicester Motion, a historic motoring and aviation centre situated on the former airbase. It is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering. 'I saw it (the fire) from a distance,' Mr Holland told the PA news agency. 'There's lots of emergency vehicles. 'Bicester Motion were meeting there earlier. I had spoken to someone as they were leaving. 'I hope there is nobody hurt or worse.' Historic England claim the iconic airfield is 'the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase' in Britain. Bicester Motion said in a statement: 'Further to the incident, emergency services have been called and are attending on-site. 'We appreciate the concern from local residents and wish to communicate that the company is working with the emergency services. At their direction the site will be closed today and over the weekend. A further statement will be made as appropriate.' Oxfordshire County Council said the nearby Buckingham Road, Skimmingdish Lane, the A4421 and the A4095 were all closed until further notice, with likely 'delays and disruption to journeys in and around Bicester'. A social media user shared images of massive black plumes of smoke coming from the site – adding they had heard 'multiple explosions'. Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion – formerly known as Bicester Heritage – said he heard 'multiple bangs' and saw a plume of smoke while out walking. He told PA: 'As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens. 'Multiple fire engines and police cars went past us and as we got to the corner at the bottom of the road ash started to fall and you could see the sheer scale of what was happening. 'Loud bangs have been constantly going off and multiple helicopters are still circling the site.' The cause of the fire is not yet known.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Child dies after minibus overturns on M4 slip road in Berkshire
A child has died after a minibus overturned on a motorway slip road, police have confirmed. The single-vehicle crash occurred on the M4 eastbound junction 10 exit slip road on to the A329M, near Wokingham in Berkshire on Sunday afternoon, Thames Valley police said. In a post on X, the force said: 'Sadly, a child died in the collision and our thoughts remain with the family who are being supported at this extremely difficult time. 'Other passengers sustained serious injuries, requiring hospital treatment. We would ask motorists to continue to avoid the area.' Emergency services were called to the scene including air ambulances landing on the road, National Highways said. South Central ambulance service said it was first alerted to the crash at 2.24pm, with its first units arriving at the scene eight minutes later. Five critical care units, including two air ambulances, attended the incident along with six ambulances. National Highways reported the collision shortly after 2.45pm, later adding that the link road had been closed eastbound due to a 'serious injury incident involving an overturned vehicle'. The motorway was then closed in both directions between junctions 11 and 8 for approximately three hours after the crash. The slip road remains closed on Sunday night, with officers still at the scene. Delays of up to 30 minutes were reported on the motorway alongside queues of up to three miles, which were worsened by several broken-down vehicles, the public body added. No arrests have been made, the force said.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major motorway CLOSED in both directions after ‘serious' crash with multiple air ambulances landing
THE M4 in Berkshire is closed in both directions after a "very serious" crash on the motorway "involving an overturned vehicle" this afternoon. The collision happened on the eastbound carriageway between junction J11 (Reading) and J10 (A329M/Wokingham). 2 Six ambulances and five critical care units were at the scene on Sunday afternoon, according to South Central Ambulance Service. National Highways said the crash was "major", resulting in "a serious injury". It reported "severe" delays on the closures in both directions - in part due to broken-down vehicles in the queues. The M4 in Berkshire is currently closed eastbound, between junctions 11 and 10, and westbound, between junctions 8/9 and 11, the highways agency added. It said Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue and Thames Valley Police were also called to the scene. 2
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Major' crash shuts M4 motorway in both directions
A motorway has been closed in both directions following a major Highways said the M4 in Berkshire was closed eastbound, between junctions 11 and 10, and westbound, between junctions 8/9 and 11, because of a "serious injury incident involving an overturned vehicle".South Central Ambulance Service confirmed it had five critical care units and six ambulances at the scene on Sunday afternoon. Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue and Thames Valley Police were also there, National Highways said. Just before 16:00 BST, police said the closure would likely be in place "for the foreseeable future" and asked drivers to avoid the Highways described the crash as "major" and said there were "severe" delays approaching the closures in both directions, partly because of broken down vehicles in the BBC has contacted Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
