31 July 2023 , 09:42
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Members of a British family are among the dead in a horror crash on a French motorway over the weekend, authorities have said.
At least three people, including a mum from North London, are among those who lost their lives in the collision on the A26 motorway, south of Lens, Northern France, on Sunday evening. Several children are among the casualties, police said.
The mother killed in the crash has been named locally as Miriam Posen, a 50-year-old mum of ten from Stamford Hill, North London. Mrs Posen was travelling with several family members, all members of London's Orthodox Jewish community, in a van at the time.
Her husband Shalom Pinchos Posen, a respected local rabbi, is also among those seriously injured, Jewish news site Matzav reports, as are two of the Posens' daughters. Two other people - a 75-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man, were also tragically killed in the disaster.
Izzy Posen, the couple’s eldest son, wrote on social media today: "My mother sadly passed away yesterday in tragic circumstances. She was young and healthy and full of the spirit of life. I loved her so much."
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And a family spokesman said: "Miriam was a devoted mother who was loved so much by her family and friends. She was a very special person who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. We are still coming to terms with what has happened. It was only on Sunday night."
Five others including children were rushed to hospital (La Voix du Nord)An emergency services spokesperson said: "Three people are dead and dozens injured, including many children. A van with a British family of seven people on board was one of the three vehicles involved in the crash.
"A 40-year-old British woman died instantly, along with two others travelling in another vehicle. The other passengers – aged between six and 48 – were taken to hospital in Cambrai and Arras."
Several victims in the crash, including a 14-year-old boy, remained fighting for their lives in intensive care on Monday morning. The collision happened shortly after 6pm on Sunday between the towns of Neuville-Saint-Vaast and Thélus.
A second vehicle contained four people, including the other woman and man killed. The other two passengers in this car were a 14-year-old boy and a 79-year-old man who were in a ‘critical condition’.
The third vehicle involved was a car with four passengers, including three children, aged between six and 33. The section of the A26 motorway was closed off until late into the night on Saturday, as six emergency medical teams attended the scene.
Around 60 firefighters were also scrambled to the crash site, to try to rescue the victims. Prosecutors in nearby Arras have launched an investigation into the collision.
French regional state prefect Jacques Billant meanwhile said witnesses to the horrific crash were ‘being offered psychological counselling.’ It happened at the height of the holiday season, when thousands of British drivers make their way across the Channel.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth & Development Office said: "We are in contact with the local authorities following a road traffic accident in France and have offered our assistance to the family."