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Fatal crash on A1 near Wetherby and Bramham
The crash on the A1 at Bramham, near Wetherby, on Wednesday. Picture By Simon Hulme
A Wetherby Fire Brigade watch commander has praised his staff after attending a fatal accident near Wetherby on the A1(M).
The crash, which involved a silver Vauxhall Zafira and Scania articulated LGV, happened between junctions 44 and 45 near Bramham at 11am on Wednesday.
The lorry was parked on the hard shoulder waiting to have a puncture repaired.
Firefighters from Wetherby Blue Watch, led by Watch Commander Derek Milne, went to the accident.
A crew from Moortown Fire Brigade also attended, as well as a Technical Rescue Vehicle from Cleckheaton, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and police.
The 45-year-old driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jack Parnell, Wetherby Red Watch Commander, said: “It was a complicated extraction due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved.
“The equipment used was hydraulic cutting and lifting equipment. All crews worked exceedingly professionally in extremely traumatic conditions.”
Mr Parnell added that drivers must understand that roads can be dangerous places if precautions are not taken and drivers fail to maintain concentration at all times.
“If you are going on a long journey take lots of breaks,” he said. “Do not drink and drive. Do not drive when tired. Do not use mobile phones while at the wheel of a vehicle. Lastly, always drive to the conditions of the road and the weather.”
A second collision happened just after 11.30am on the same day near junction 43 of the A1, south of the A64. Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene following an incident thought to have involved four vehicles.
Garforth, Tadcaster and Castleford firefighters helped to rescue a woman from a Ford Ka that was caught up in the smash. She was conscious and taken to hospital by ambulance. Police closed the northbound carriageway, causing long tailbacks. The road reopened at about 4pm.
Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the fatal collision, saw the car being driven or had any contact with the driver before the collision.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the West Yorkshire Police eastern area Roads Policing Unit via 101.
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Weather for Wetherby
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Heavy rain
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
