British police report 'huge' reponse to M5 crash probe

Police in the UK revealed today that they have had almost 200 calls from members of the public offering information about the crash on the M5 last Friday which killed seven people.

Avon and Somerset Police said the public response had been “huge” as the inquests opened into the deaths of those killed in the crash in Somerset and their bodies were released for burial.

Lorry drivers Terry Brice, from Patchway, South Gloucestershire, and Kye Thomas, from Gunnislake, Cornwall, died in the crash, alongside father and daughter Michael and Maggie Barton, from Windsor, Berkshire, grandparents Anthony and Pamela Adams, from Newport, South Wales, and battle re-enactor Malcolm Beacham, from Woolavington, near Bridgwater.

Speaking outside the hearing in Taunton, Somerset, Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour, who is leading the police investigation, said more than 30 police officers and staff were now investigating the crash.

“Since this heartbreaking event occurred we have been working non-stop to establish what happened and those investigations are still very much ongoing.

“We have received a huge number of calls and messages from members of the public and I am very grateful for this. This has raised nearly 200 actions for us to follow up.

“We are working hard to speak with everyone as quickly as possible, however we need to do so sensitively because some have been injured and understandably are deeply distressed and upset by what they saw. Therefore you will understand that this is likely to take some time.

“My job is to continue to conduct a professional, thorough and detailed investigation, in the hope we can provide answers to the grieving families who have lost loved ones.”