Police issue appeal for witnesses to fatal collision

Police have issued an appeal for anyone who may have witnessed Friday evening's fatal six vehicle collision on the M1 to come forward.
Tony Hendron Digital Photography. 8th April
The sceneon the M1 Motorway, southbound, outside Lurgan on Friday evening where a serious crash closed the road leaving hundreds of motorists trapped.
Mandatory Credit :Photo by Tony HendronTony Hendron Digital Photography. 8th April
The sceneon the M1 Motorway, southbound, outside Lurgan on Friday evening where a serious crash closed the road leaving hundreds of motorists trapped.
Mandatory Credit :Photo by Tony Hendron
Tony Hendron Digital Photography. 8th April The sceneon the M1 Motorway, southbound, outside Lurgan on Friday evening where a serious crash closed the road leaving hundreds of motorists trapped. Mandatory Credit :Photo by Tony Hendron

Eighty-year-old Maureen Buchanan, from Belfast, died in the collision which occurred between Moira and Lurgan.

Hundreds of drivers were left stranded as police closed the motorway to clear and investigate the scene.

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Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “I would firstly like to extend my condolences to the family of the woman who died following the six vehicle road traffic collision yesterday evening.

Police received a report of this road traffic collision shortly after 5.30pm yesterday, Friday, 8 April and immediately updated social media, media outlets and liaised with our partner agencies.

“Regular updates were issued to drivers and media throughout the evening.

“We are aware of the difficulties and frustration caused last night and the major delays and inconvenience caused to commuters and families trying to get home.

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“It is with reluctance that we close any road, particularly a motorway during Friday evening rush hour however, following any fatal road traffic collision police have an obligation to carry out a full and thorough investigation into the exact circumstances of the collision and the scene must be closed in order for that investigation to take place.

“Following this incident police had to safely remove the traffic from the motorway. Due to the amount of vehicular traffic at this time of evening, this took a considerable amount of time.

“While we try to ensure that any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum, due to the location of this incident and the number of vehicles involved it was then necessary to close the motorway in both directions.

“Both lanes were reopened during the early hours of this morning.

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“The motorway was obviously extremely busy at the time of the collision yesterday and we are keen to speak to drivers who may have witnessed what happened. Officers can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101.”

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