Army helps out after another crash near M40 road works

AT 15:51 today, Friday, October 21, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to reports of a car crash on M40 between Junctions six and seven, where people were believed to be trapped in the wreckage.

Fire Engines from Thame, High Wycombe and Amersham were immediately mobilised and arrived to be faced with a car which had left the Motorway and ended up on its side down the embankment and stuck in the hedgerow.

Fire crew attempt to stabilise the car which is precariously leaning over a bank

Firefighters working with colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service Paramedics then worked together to free both the passenger and the driver who were marooned in the vehicle.

Incident Commander, Watch Manager Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station said: “I would like to thank all services who helped at this incident including the Army who had stopped when passing the incident and provided support to the casualties until our arrival. Due to the position of the car and the fact it was on its side down the embankment we had to initially stablise the vehicle to prevent further movement and then create access by use hydraulic equipment to remove the doors and center post from the side of the car.

The driver and passenger were then able to be released and subsequently taken to hospital for checks. However the incident could have resulted in even more damage had the vehicle hit others and of course the injuries could have been a lot worse had they not been wearing their seatbelts.”

Mr Ford added: “There have been a number of recent accidents in the current temporary road works in place on this section of the M40 and I would urge drivers to stay alert, reduce their speed on approach and take extra care by following the two- second rule in an attempt to maintain a suitable gap between you and vehicle in front, thus helping prevent possible further collisions.”