Multiple Motorway RTC
Firstly thank you very much for your assistance at the scene of the collision yesterday.
I attended the report of a multiple vehicle collision that occurred at 1308 hours on Monday 16th August 2010. This incident happened on the M6 Southbound at Junction 11a just prior to the split with the M6 Toll Road.
As the northern supervisor for CMPG I attended in a supervisory capacity due to the number of vehicles and persons involved. Upon arrival there were numerous vehicles in their post collision positions within lane one. These vehicles were affecting the flow of traffic on the network and causing considerable distraction to passing drivers.
I arrived at the scene as one of the first officers, shortly followed by Highways Agency Traffic Officers, who had been allocated by the Control Room.
Upon arrival I noted that there were numerous casualties and witnesses all of whom wanted and required attention. I requested further CMPG crews to attend the scene along with West Midlands Ambulance and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue. These resources subsequently attended the location and due to the presence of the collected emergencies vehicles and the obvious scene, severe congestion soon built up.
As partners, CMPG and staff from The Mansfield Group have worked alongside each other at numerous incidents on a daily basis and take for granted the roles carried out by our respective partners. This is something that occurs when we become familiar with the roles that we carry out and with the people that we see on a daily basis.
This is through no fault of any individual.
The staff that attended made a valuable contribution in assisting with the witnesses at the scene, with facilitating recovery of the vehicles involved and ensuring the safe passage of the travelling public and of those at the scene. I found that coordination of our response was eased due to the positive working relationship and the experience and performance of those members of Mansfield’s staff who worked alongside the emergency services.
Having worked on the motorways for over 10 years I like yourselves have attended various serious incidents and fatalities and have been witness to the recovery operations that follow after such collisions.
I was impressed by the response of The Mansfield Group having been allocated to this incident and that you as the Incident manager dealt with the those persons involved professionally and courteously, in response to their questions and queries of what was happening to them and where their vehicles were going etc.
For you to ensure the safe removal and recovery of the seven vehicles involved and the drivers, coordinating a response between two of your depots promoted The Mansfield Group in a very professional manner and impressed me immensely. To see your fleet turn up and to have the scene cleared quickly was spot on, only to be surpassed by the goliath Recovery rigs that you have and that I have seen in action recovering large commercial vehicles in varying precarious positions.
I would appreciate it if you could bring this to the attention of any managers involved and the relevant force recovery supervisors.
Please include this in any performance/contract review of the firm and or the individuals concerned.
I find it reassuring that even with the advent of the regular contract and financial reviews that our staff on the frontline will go that extra mile to assist officers and public alike.
I apologise if I have omitted any individuals who may have attended, so can you ensure pass on my sincere thanks to those other staff.
Steve Burrows
SGT 1281 Steve BURROWS
C Unit CMPG Doxey,
Seighford Lane Doxey, Stafford.
ST18 9LG
