Police appeal over Easter pile-up

An overturned caravan began a series of collisions

A mystery lorry driver may hold the key to the cause of a motorway pile-up which left 24 people injured.

The 60-vehicle collision happened on the A1(M) in North Yorkshire on Friday morning.

Police believe "serious driving offences" caused the incident and are treating it as a criminal act.

They think a lorry which was involved and left the scene could have vital information for them.

Saturday is much better - slightly busier than a normal weekend, but not too many problems

Mahmud Mir
BBC Travel Unit

Meanwhile, the traffic chaos which characterised the early Easter getaway had subsided on Saturday, when BBC travel experts reported few problems on the roads.

Friday's initial incident happened at about 0613 GMT on the northbound carriageway near Boroughbridge.

There were three separate accident scenes for the police to investigate while traffic jams stretched back for 16 miles.

The pile-up began after a caravan overturned and the vehicle towing it crashed into the central reservation.

Speeding

Several lorries then ploughed into the wreckage.

North Yorkshire Police said it was one of the worst accidents they had investigated and it was a miracle no-one was killed.

Three pregnant women escaped Friday's pile-up unhurt.

But a six-year-old girl needed surgery for internal injuries and a 30-year-old man suffered head injuries.

24 people were injured in A1(M) crash

Sergeant Brian Trickett said: "Something has gone on ahead of the caravan driver, we know that from markings on the road.

"Somewhere among the initial accident a green-coloured Volvo or Scania skip lorry has been involved."

Debris on the motorway suggested the lorry had collided with another vehicle.

"That vehicle has not stopped and the driver has carried on his journey.

"It is possible the driver didn't know.

'Busier'

"However, it is important we speak to him and eliminate him from our inquiries."

Sgt Trickett said drivers did not heed police advice about speed after four people were killed in crashes in fog on Thursday.

The message appeared to have got through by Saturday.

Mahmud Mir, travel editor at the BBC Travel Unit, said: "Saturday is much better - slightly busier than a normal weekend, but not too many problems.

"It appears that most people have got to where they want to go."