Fatal collision on the A30 near Bolventor, Bodmin

Police dealing with a second fatal collision on the A30 on Sunday 22 December are appealing for witnesses.

Six vehicles in total were involved in multiple collisions on both carriageways near Bolventor, a few miles east of Bodmin, shortly after midday.

Three vehicles collided on the eastbound carriageway. The driver of one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers are in the process of identifying the next of kin and therefore formal identification has not taken place.

Two occupants of another vehicle travelling eastbound were taken by air ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and the extent of their injuries is not yet known. Another three vehicles collided on the westbound carriageway but there were no injuries as a result.

The eastbound carriageway will be closed for some time but the westbound carriageway is due to be reopened shortly.

Officers from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit and Scenes of Crime attended to carry out an investigation.

The Highways Agency put on diversions to ensure traffic could keep moving locally but delays were experienced due to the earlier collision on the A30 near Launceston.

The central reservation was damaged and is being repaired by the Highways Agency before the road is safe to be reopened.

No-one has been arrested in connection with this collision.

Sergeant Olly Tayler, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Both carriageways were closed due to the serious nature of the collision and the horrendous weather conditions.

“We understand it has caused some disruption for motorists, particularly as it is a busy weekend prior to Christmas.

“Please be reassured officers and the other emergency services have been working as quickly as possible in these very difficult circumstances.

“The investigation into what caused the collision continues but one line of enquiry is that there was an unexpected exceptional weather event that happened at the time of the collisions in the form of a hail storm.
“Motorists are reminded to drive according to the conditions they are faced with on the roads, particularly with the weather forecast over the next few days.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 384 of 22 December 2013.