7 die, 51 burnt in highway inferno

AT least seven people were killed and 51 injured in a major British highway crash - with more casualties thought to be trapped in their vehicles.

London police said yesterday the 34-vehicle pile-up late on Friday on the M5 highway near Taunton, southwest England, sparked explosions and an inferno, with lines of cars and trucks engulfed in flames.

"This is a horrific scene," said assistant chief constable Anthony Bangham, of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

"I'm now able to confirm that we've had a collision involving 34 vehicles, many of which are burnt - and burnt literally to the ground.

"I am also able to confirm that we've got 51 casualties. Many of those have gone to hospital. Sadly, I can now confirm that we believe we've had at least seven people die as a result of this incident."

He added that this number could rise as the police and rescue personnel continue to carry out an extensive search of vehicles at the scene.

Bangham said: "We just fear that certain vehicles may still have people trapped."