Latest news with #motorway
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Two of Barbie's leading designers are killed in horrific head-on road smash in Italy after 82-year-old drove the wrong way down motorway
Two of Barbie's leading designers were killed in a horrific head-on collision on an Italian motorway after an 82-year-old made a U-turn and travelled seven kilometres down the wrong lane. Artistic duo Mario Paglino, 52, and Gianni Grossi, 48, were travelling in an SUV on the Turin-Milan highway near Mesero when the elderly man driving a Peugeot 207 collided into them, with both vehicles travelling at approximately 130 km/h. Four people were killed in the incident including the 82-year-old driver, Egidio Ceriani, designers Paglino and Grossi, as well as a 38-year-old banker who the pair were travelling with, Amodio Giurni. Giurni's wife, Silvia Moramarco, 37, who was also a passenger in the SUV, was the sole survivor and was airlifted to Niguarda Hospital in Milan in critical condition. The elderly man realised he missed the toll booth on the Turin-Milan highway, so turned around and re-entered the motorway in the wrong lane, before colliding with the SUV at high speed, according to traffic police officers. Barbie's official Instagram account paid tribute to the visionary designers, who in 1999 founded the Magia2000 company that creates custom Barbie dolls inspired by art and pop culture and often collaborates with Mattel. 'The Barbie team is heartbroken by the loss of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, two treasured creators and Mattel collaborators who brought joy and artistry to the world of Barbie as Magia 2000,' the tribute said. 'As passionate and talented designers and lifelong collectors, their spirit and love for the brand turned every creation they touched into a masterpiece. Beyond their remarkable talent, they shared an energy that lit up every space they entered.' Both residents of Novara, northwest Italy, Paglino and Grossi were the first ever non-American artist duo to ever design a souvenir Barbie doll manufactured by Mattel USA - the 2006 Barbie Film Noir doll - produced for the National Barbie Convention that same year. At the 2015 National Barbie Convention, one of their creations was sold for charity for €15,000 (£13,000). The pair design one-of-a-kind dolls inspired by famous paintings, from Van Gogh's Irises and Piet Mondrian's Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow to Frida Kahlo's The Two Fridas. In 2016, they were honoured with the prestigious Barbie Best Friend Award by American fashion designer Carol Spencer, for their dedication to the promotion of Barbie culture throughout the world. In 2011, Magia2000 founded the Italian Doll Convention, which the designers described as 'the largest fashion dolls event in Europe, promoting the passion for Barbie and all fashion dolls'. This year in June, to mark the brand's 25th anniversary, the duo unveiled the centerpiece for the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention: the ICON Barbie, complete with a pink sequined dress, and 25 'special dolls' available only at the annual event for doll enthusiasts. Paglino and Grossi revealed the playful meaning behind their brand name in a interview with gtGdollwear, saying: 'It's quite simple, Magia means 'Magic' in Italian and we built it with our names. 'It's the anagram of the initials of our two names. MA-rio and GIA-nni, MA+GIA and the game is done, MAGIA.' Paying tribute to the dollmakers, the mournful post on Barbie's Instagram account continued: 'Whether leading the Italian Doll Convention in Milan or showcasing their talents and love for Barbie at doll shows all over the world, their presence brought warmth, laughter and a sense of belonging.' Following the horrific head-on car crash on Sunday at 11:08 am on the border between Lombardy and Piedmont, the Highway Police investigation lasted approximately six hours, with the motorway closed and long queues for members of the public heading to Milan and Malpensa Airport, reported La Repubblica. Firefighters, ambulances and an air rescue arrived at the scene to extract the bodies from the vehicles, but 37-year-old Moramarco was the sole survivor. The designers were travelling with friends and were reportedly on their way to the Lombardy capital or to the lakes for a day trip, the newspaper added.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Driver dies after falling from Auckland flyover following crash
The man died after falling from the Newmarket viaduct. Photo: Wikicommons The driver of a car which crashed on Auckland's Southern Motorway early this morning died after falling from the Newmarket flyover after the crash. Police are now investigating the man's death after the incident in the early hours of this morning. Superintendent Zane Hooper said the car was first seen driving at speed on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane just before 1am. Police followed the car, with camera operators also monitoring the vehicle's movements. The speeding vehicle hit the centre barrier on the Newmarket flyover, before crashing into the left side barrier. The police unit following the crashed car passed the vehicle as it been obscured by a passing truck, and by the time it got back to the scene, the driver had got out of the car. A camera operator then saw the man climb over the motorway barrier, where he either fell or dropped to the ground below the overbridge. Police patrols provided first aid, but the man died at the scene. "This is a tragic event for all those attending staff and welfare has been put in place for our people," said Hooper. Police have contacted the family of the dead man, and the IPCA has also been contacted. Hopper said the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene this morning and a critical incident investigation has begun. "As part of that investigation, a post-mortem will be carried out with formal identification procedures to be completed." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Plan to build new motorway services area beside M27
Planners are being urged to approve a multi-million-pound proposal to build a new motorway services area on the M27. Welcome Break Group has submitted an outline application to transform more than 30 acres of farmland land next to junction 11 at Fareham. The huge scheme incudes several food and drink outlets and almost 550 parking spaces, plus a children's play area and a dog walking zone. A planning statement that accompanies the application cites the current shortage of facilities for drivers in the region. "The absence of roadside service provision means the nationally prescribed safety and welfare provision for motorway/trunk road users is not being met." Drivers on the M27 will be provided with a new motorway service area if the scheme is approved (Image: Newsquest) The statement says the proposed development would create about 276 jobs once it was fully operational. "A further 27-28 jobs are likely to be created or supported by indirect or induced expenditure - services bought-in to the application site, or spending outside the site by employees." Citing the potential benefits of the scheme it adds: "The application should be approved without delay." READ MORE: M27 speed cameras: New 50mph sped limit will last until the end of 2025 Welcome has chosen a site on the northern side of the motorway next to the eastbound carriageway, but says the service area would also be accessible by westbound traffic. The main building would deliver a raft of facilities including shops, toilets, and showers. A petrol station and a drive-thru coffee shop are also planned. An aerial view of the proposed site, which is next to junction 11 of the M27 near Fareham (Image: Welcome Break/Google Earth) A design and access statement says the scheme would help meet the safety and welfare needs of motorists using the M27 and connecting roads. "The proposal would provide multiple food and drink offers and parking and fuelling facilities for both light vehicles and HGVs. Importantly, it would also offer much needed EV charging infrastructure." Jobs would be created both during the construction and operational phases of the project. READ MORE: Developer aims to transform Windhover Roundabout site next to M27 The planned development includes more than 50 EV charging points, plus 16 parking spaces for caravans, 16 for motorcycles, and 53 for HGVs. The scheme would also deliver seven coach bays. Apart from an isolated property at Boarhunt Road, the nearest homes are said to be 320 metres away at Downend Road. If the application is approved by Fareham Borough Council, a more detailed proposal would also have to be given the green light before work could start.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Coroner warns gap in motorway barrier near Watford risks lives
A coroner warned lives would remain at risk unless a motorway barrier was altered following two Cox, 18, and Darren Reilly, 55, died after their silver Range Rover left the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Watford on 1 April Coroner Jacques Howell said safety barriers could stop vehicles leaving the carriageway and hitting Highways said it would respond after reviewing the report. A spokesperson said their thoughts were with the grieving family and friends, adding: "Any death on our roads is one too many." In the report, the coroner detailed how Mr Reilly had been driving with his partner and her three children, including Ms Cox, when he lost control of the car and left the carriageway through the gap in the coroner stated barriers were present along the motorway immediately before and after the collision part of the M1 is lined with trees, which Mr Howell warned could lead to "a very sharp and sudden deceleration" if collided such gaps are usually present to allow access, witnesses from the roads policing unit could not explain to the coroner why a barrier was not present at this specific safety barriers prevent vehicles leaving the carriageway and brings them to a more controlled Highways Agency has until 12 September to respond to the report outlining possible actions and a timetable to implement them. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major motorway closed in both directions over ‘police-led incident' as drivers facing hour-long delays
DRIVERS have been warned of travel chaos as bumper-to-bumper traffic builds on a major motorway. A stretch of M40 has been closed down in both directions after a "police-led incident". 2 The cordon is in place between J6 at Chinnor and J5 at Stokenchurch. Thames Valley Police remain on scene and are leading the response to the closure. National Highways Traffic Officers are also helping with traffic management. Motorists have been warned of hour-long queues due to the disruption. National Highways said: "The M40 remains closed in both directions between J6 (Chinnor) and J5 (Stokenchurch) due to a police-led incident. "Delays are approaching 60 minutes northbound & 70 minutes southbound in the area." Northbound traffic is being diverted via the Hollow Diamond diversion symbol. Drivers are being directed to exit the M40 at J5 and take the A40 northbound. Then continue to the B4009 and turn left onto the B4009 then re-join the M40 at J6. Meanwhile, southbound traffic is being diverted via the Hollow Circle diversion symbol. Motorists should exit the M40 at J6 and follow the B4009. Then turn right onto the A40 and continue until you re-join the M6 at J5. 2
