Photo shows aftermath of huge crash on M1 near Meadowhall as police slam drivers who failed to stop

This was the aftermath of a huge crash on the M1 near Meadowhall in which remarkably no one was seriously injured.
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Police released the shocking photo today as they criticised motorists who failed to stop as the massive clean-up operation took place.

The crash involving an HGV and a caravan happened on the southbound carriageway between junctions 34 and 35 on Saturday, leaving traffic at a standstill and creating huge tailbacks.

The aftermath of a crash on the M1 near Meadowhall involving an HGV and a caravanThe aftermath of a crash on the M1 near Meadowhall involving an HGV and a caravan
The aftermath of a crash on the M1 near Meadowhall involving an HGV and a caravan
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Officers from South Yorkshire Police’s operational support unit today said that thankfully only ‘minor’ injuries had been sustained in the collision and thanked the ‘vast majority’ of motorists who observed the lane closures marked by red Xs on the gantries and waited while the route was made safe to use again.

But they hit out at drivers who ignored the signs, putting police, traffic officers and fellow motorists at risk.

Posting on Facebook, they wrote: “We would like to offer our less than sincere apologies to those very important people that seemed to think the red ‘X’ system was being used to keep a lane open for them and them alone to continue their journey unimpeded.

"Obviously in your case, we are quite happy to use the eyes in the back our heads to make sure that we can go home in one piece.

"These very important people will be receiving a letter of apology in the next few days to their home address – it will have the words ‘Central Ticket Office’ on it to help you identify it.”