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British father killed with two children in French motorway crash may have fallen asleep at the wheel | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Three members of a British family, including two children, have died when their car veered off a motorway in eastern France. | |
Two children aged four and 10 and a man aged 31, who local media are reporting is the father, died instantly in the horrific accident on the A39 motorway at Beaurepaire-en-Bresse between Dijon and Bourg-en-Bresse. | Two children aged four and 10 and a man aged 31, who local media are reporting is the father, died instantly in the horrific accident on the A39 motorway at Beaurepaire-en-Bresse between Dijon and Bourg-en-Bresse. |
Investigators have apparently suggested the man may have fallen asleep at the wheel. | |
A woman and third child, aged three, were seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter. | A woman and third child, aged three, were seriously injured and flown to hospital by helicopter. |
French gendarmerie sources said the child was critically ill and the woman – presumed to be the mother of the family – less seriously injured. The gendarmerie declined to name the victims until next of kin had been informed. | French gendarmerie sources said the child was critically ill and the woman – presumed to be the mother of the family – less seriously injured. The gendarmerie declined to name the victims until next of kin had been informed. |
The British-registered Nissan car was travelling south-east when it left the road at around 7.30 am local time this morning. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved. | The British-registered Nissan car was travelling south-east when it left the road at around 7.30 am local time this morning. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved. |
Gendarmeries sources said other drivers saw the car cross the hard shoulder, strike a parapet and fall down a grassy bank onto a slip road. The vehicle then caught fire. | Gendarmeries sources said other drivers saw the car cross the hard shoulder, strike a parapet and fall down a grassy bank onto a slip road. The vehicle then caught fire. |
The motorway was closed in both directions for four hours after the crash. Emergency workers who attended the scene were offered psychological counselling. | The motorway was closed in both directions for four hours after the crash. Emergency workers who attended the scene were offered psychological counselling. |
Helicopters flew the injured woman and child to hospital in Lyon. | Helicopters flew the injured woman and child to hospital in Lyon. |
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing assistance following a road traffic accident in France, in which three British nationals have sadly died and two others have been hospitalised. | |
"We are working closely with local authorities and supporting the families at this difficult time." |
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