M1 fatal crash linked with murder probe
Motorway closed for many hours
A FATAL crash on the M1 which caused traffic chaos in Leicestershire on Friday has been linked with the death of a woman in a Derbyshire village.
Derbyshire Police launched a murder investigation after Claire Nagle, 38, was found seriously injured in Borrowash and later died in hospital.
Thirty minutes later, a 44-year-old man, named locally as Vincent Nagle, died after being in collision with a lorry on the southbound carriageway near Trowell services - between junctions 25 and 26.
The motorway was closed in both directions for more than eight hours, causing gridlocks beyond East Midlands Airport and on the M69 towards Hinckley, as well as the A50, A6 and A46 in Leicestershire.
Police were called to Charnwood Avenue, Borrowash, at 11am on Friday after a 22-yearold man, who had also been injured, raised the alarm from a nearby house on Station Road.
The man, a relation of Claire and Vincent, suffered head injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening and is being treated at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, officers said.
Police said the death of a man on the M1 was linked to both attacks and all three people involved were related. It is believed Vincent is the expartner of Claire.
On Saturday, Chief Superintendent Jim Allen said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
He said: “I’m very grateful for the patience and understanding of the many thousands of people affected by this incident [on Friday]. Closing a motorway is not a decision taken lightly at any time.
“In a fast-moving situation, with several scenes of crime, the death of two people and another seriously injured, it was vitally important that officers established whether any other persons were involved. We can now confirm that at this time we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, which involved people who were related to each other.
“It was also important that we gathered all the available evidence from the motorway and that takes time. It has to be done in detail and with sensitivity when removing a body from the road. We always try to keep some lanes running if possible, but on this occasion it could not be done safely.”
Claire’s father Martin Paton, on behalf of all the family, paid tribute to his daughter.
He said: “We are devastated at the loss of a much-loved, beautiful and vibrant mother, daughter and sister, Claire.
“We believe this was a tragic incident for everyone involved and their families.
“We don’t want to apportion any blame and wish to be left alone to grieve as a family. We’d also like to thank everyone who has offered us messages of support.”