A361 crash: Investigation focuses on ice (From Oxford Mail)

A361 crash: Investigation focuses on ice

8:14pm Tuesday 25th November 2008 in Search By Amanda Williams

A man and a woman were killed today after their car crashed into a medical supplies courier van at an icy corner.

Police are now investigating if a patch of ice at the bottom of a hill caused the crash at Williamscot Hill, north of Banbury, at about 5.40am.

The driver and a woman passenger in a silver Vauxhall Astra were both pronounced dead at the scene.

They are both in their 20s but have not been formally identified.

The driver of the Extran Medica van and a third passenger from the car were taken to the Horton Hospital, in Banbury, with serious injuries.

According to police, the Astra car was heading north towards Chipping Warden. The Astra van was heading in the opposite direction towards Banbury.

Pc Charlotte Owen, of the Bicester traffic unit, said: “Although any conclusion would be speculation until we have examined the vehicles and spoken to any witnesses, it was obvious at the scene there was a lot of ice at the bottom of the hill when we arrived this morning.

“It was very early in the morning and the roads were quiet, but if anyone saw either vehicle prior to the collision or who has any information they should contact myself or Sgt Pete Jell on 08458 505505 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

The road was reopened at 11am, after emergency services and recovery workers had cleared the area and the road was gritted.

No details of the drivers or passengers have been released, as police were still trying to contact the next of kin.

Linda Hyland, from Williamscot, said the road was a rat-run and something needed to be done.

She said: “I use the road quite a lot and sometimes I drive on it very early in the morning too.

“I think there was a fatal accident there not long ago. People just drive too fast down it.

“There are always accidents on that road, but they're usually really good at getting the gritters out early if ice is forecast. The speed limit is already restricted to 50mph.

“I think speed cameras or bumps would be the best thing to slow people down.

“It's such a shame, but it's just a very dangerous road and you have to be very careful on it.”

A county spokesman said the road was gritted the previous night.

Extran Medica said the driver had been on his way to make a collection from a hospital in London but was not carrying anything at the time of the collision. He was officially off duty. They could not give any further details.