Woman crushed between two HGVs in M6 crash appeals for witnesses (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Woman crushed between two HGVs in M6 crash appeals for witnesses

2:46pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Anna Clarke, Reporter

The scene shortly after the incident.

A WOMAN is appealing for witnesses after a motorway crash which killed two drivers and left her crushed between two HGVs.

The woman, a Lancaster resident thought to be in her 40s, has issued the plea through solicitors, Fentons LLP, following a pile-up on the northbound carriageway of the M6, just south of Kendal.

The incident, which occurred at around 8.15am on February 25, involved several heavy goods vehicles, a van and two cars.

Nigel Smith, a serious injuries specialist who is representing the woman, said: “The collision occurred at about 8.15 on the morning of Monday, February 25.

“More than 20 emergency services vehicles – including two air ambulances - were called to the scene of the incident, just past Burton services between junctions 35 and 36, south of Kendal.

“My client was just one of many who were making their way to work that morning when they were caught up in the horrific event as it unfolded.

“She was waiting in the queuing traffic on the motorway when a large lorry ploughed into the back of the queue and sent another truck smashing into the back of her stationary vehicle.

“She was helpless and horrified as her car was pressed into the lorry in front of her – effectively sandwiching her vehicle between the two trucks – and it took the emergency responders two hours to cut her free from the wreckage.”

Mr Smith said that his client, who has asked not to be named, was lucky to escape the collision with her life.

But she suffered severe injuries in the accident, which will “affect her in the future”.

She says she also suffered psychological injury after being trapped in the vehicle for so long while in “considerable” pain and distress.

He continued: “We are now trying to gather any information that can help us paint a precise picture of the circumstances leading up to the incident.”

Because the investigation is ongoing, police are unable to release statements or evidence collected so far.

But the woman has revealed that a man, believed to be called Jackie, held her hand and reassured her as firefighters cut her free from the wreckage.

Mr Smith added: “We would also like to speak to anyone who saw what happened when the lorry hit the rear of my client’s car, or who might have seen the events immediately leading up to the incident.

“We need to put together the whole picture of just what happened, and we are hoping people will come forward and help us to secure the help our client needs right now and also in the future.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact Nigel Smith at Fentons Solicitors LLP on 0844 854 3068. Alternatively he can be emailed on nigel.smith@fentons.co.uk