Fatal motorhome crash on the M6 Forums

Foxtrot

Like everyone else my condolences go out to those involved.
However, motorway barriers are not always going to stop high vehicles from going over them.
Another point raised is "was this caused by a blowout", I had an incident with my previous MH, fortunately it was parked on site at the time.
What happened was the tyre valve exploded, deflating the tyre instantaneously, we were not present when this happened but other campers described it as like a gun shot. We subsequently found that the wrong valves were fitted, many MH's run with very high pressure, mine was 80 psi, normal rubber valves are really only rated up to 60 psi.
When I brought this to to the attention of the manufacturers they admitted that they should have used high pressure valves, these are steel bodied and easily recognisable.
I raised this with VOSA, who were basicaly useless & not interested in issueing a general recall, to mind mind they are appologist & subserviant to the automotive industry.
I still see many earlier variants of my MH fitted with the wrong valves, although I believe all new models are now OK,
So please check your tyre pressure ratings, if they are above 60psi (or close) get high pressure valves fitted, it could save your life.

teemyob

Hello,

Our Sympathies to the relatives of the dead man.

I passed the accident moments after it had happened, horrible scene.

As SteveT stated "It makes me think twice about anyone travelling in the back of my motorhome as it was ripped in half so easily."

Well the motorhome did cross the central reservation and did hit at least two oncoming vehicles! I think the Motorhome stood up to the impact quite well under the circumstances.

Of course we do not know the cause of the crash. The reports were that the Northbound motorhome crossed the central reservation. How? Blow out, swerved to avoid another vehicle, fell asleep. ?

This junction along with the Sandbach & Knutsford are accident blackspots. I am very suprised the Highways Agency have not done more in the way of reinforcing or improvements to the central reservation like they have done to many other problem areas.

As for carrying passengers in the back, I would not worry too much, slow down and take care.

Trev.

SpeedyDux

Makes you think, doesn't it. The coachbuilt part of your van is structurally effectively just a box made mainly from lightweight composite panels sitting on a sheet of plywood. The built-in furniture helps rigidity but there's no effective cross-bracing.

I drive slower in my van on motorways than I would in my car, partly to economise on diesel. I see so many motorhomes overtaking me at 80 mph and wonder why they are in such a hurry and whether they appreciate how a coachbuilt will behave if a tyre blows out. Also, how much kinetic energy is in the stuff on board just behind them, secured only by wood screws and flimsy locker catches. In a high speed crash, how will that stuff be prevented from smashing into the occupants?

mhaze

Sad, sad, sad

I must admit I hadn't realised how flimsy MH are I'll bear that in mind in future.

Mick

EdsMH

Very sad story and picture. Life can be pretty fragile in an instant.

Like Trevor I think the motorhome has stood up really well to have crossed the central reservation and then been in mutiple collisions. The cab units are pretty tough and the rear disperses energy by its very destruction.

I have no qualms about the construction but reinforces the message about keeping kids strapped down in the rear as much as possible.

Ed

Telbell

Terrible.

Although I've not seen a Motorhome after such an accident I've seen quite a few caravans hit near us on the M5 where speed along a downhill stretch has resulted in the tugger losing control.

With the "right" sort of inpact at the "right" sort of speed you might just as well be sitting in a giant matchbox.

theboadacea

Driver who died has been named. Is very sad, had a young family.