Not many people can say that they have walked away from a 70mph motorway crash with barely any injuries, but three people in Leeds did just that. During this evening's episode of Channel 5's The Motorway, the team dealt with a crash that could have been catastrophic.
The show opened with a sobering warning: driving at night is four times as likely to result in death or serious injury. This could have been telling of what was to come.
Motorway patrollers Helen and David were nearing the end of a six-day stint at work and were looking forward to the end of their shift. But minutes before they were due to clock out, the duo were alerted to an "emergency situation" on their patch.
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A vehicle had broken down in lane 3 of the M1 in Leeds, putting the driver and any passengers at serious risk of harm. The vehicle had broken down on an unlit and busy section of the motorway, between two slip roads.
Helen and David were rushing to the scene in a desperate attempt to manage the situation before someone was hurt. The people in the car were in serious danger of being hit.
Helen said: "Obviously a live lane breakdown is always going to be a concern. If you do stop in lane 3, there is always going to be potential that you're going to be hit."
She told camera crews that she would be beside herself if she were ever to breakdown in lane 3, with little chance of crossing two carriages to safety. But, before long, her worst fear was confirmed: the car had indeed been hit.
"That's the worst thing when you get told it's no longer a live lane breakdown it's now an RTC and you didn't get there quick enoughy," Helen said. She and David were just minutes away when they spotted the accident, which had happened on the opposite side of the motorway.
As traffic is brought to a stop 200 metres from the accident site, Helen and David have to manage traffic and check for injuries. All of this happens in the pitch black, with cars racing past at speed.
Helen arrives at the scene of the crash and notices that a Ford Fiesta has been hit by a van, the back of the car is in pieces and there is debris strewn hundreds of metres down the motorway.
The high speed crash has left both vehicles stranded. With the car stuck near the central reservation and the van straddling lanes two and three, but with no drivers or passengers to be seen.
Thankfully, Helen soon finds the driver of the van and finds out that the crash happened at 70mph. She asks him if he is okay, to which he responds "I've had better days" and it is at this point that Helen notices a cut to his face. Thankfully, his injuries are not more serious.
The driver explains what happened: "I went to swerve out into lane two, I think I've side slapped something else, and then I've hit the back of that car."
And it is not just the driver of the van that made a lucky escape, as the driver and passenger of the Ford Fiesta are also unharmed. They were able to get out of the car and walk to safety just moments before the impact.
Relieved that there are no casualties, Helen and David set about making arrangements for the road to be cleared. But their shift is not done yet, as there is no estimated time of arrival for contractors to come and clear the debris field.
Eager to get the M1 back open, the duo grab a broom each and set about clearing the road themselves. Recovery trucks arrive to clear the vehicles and, just over an hour since the accident is reported, the M1 is cleared and traffic is moving once again.
It was certainly a nailbiting experience, but one with a happy ending. Helen and David were then off to enjoy some well-earned rest days.
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