M6 Toll closed by armed police

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-18719962

Armed police have surrounded a coach on the M6 Toll motorway in the West Midlands.

The road has been shut in both directions between junctions T3 and T4 at the Weeford Park Plaza.

West Midlands Police said the coach was on the hard shoulder and had "stopped of its own accord"

The Highways Agency said traffic was stationary and the closure was likely to remain in place until early afternoon.

The fire service, police and ambulance are at the scene and police are leading the response.

Oo-er ..... :eek:

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-18719962

A police source told BBC Radio WM a passenger was seen pouring a liquid into a box, which then started smoking.

The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions T3 and T4 at Weeford Park Plaza, near Lichfield, at 08:20 BST.

Police said the Megabus coach carrying 48 passengers stopped on the hard shoulder "of its own accord".

A Megabus spokeswoman said the coach was heading south from Preston to London when it was stopped.

"We are assisting police with their inquiries into an allegation made against a passenger who was travelling on board one of our services," the firm's spokeswoman added.

Nick Jones, a sales manager from Cambridge, was caught up in the incident while driving to the Lake District.

He said he was about four vehicles behind the coach when police stopped traffic.

"I've never seen so many ambulances turning up, also armed police, helicopter and dozens of police cars.

"We were told to stay in our cars, keep windows up and not put air conditioning on.

"Police were looking in hedgerows and verges on the northbound carriageway.

"It all just took off, ambulances left right and centre and armed police in black caps."

The fire service, police from the West Midlands and Staffordshire forces and ambulance crews are at the scene.

The Highways Agency said the closure was likely to remain in place until early afternoon.

Diversions are in place and trapped traffic was being turned around, police said.

:puzzled:

[Marc]

What the heck

[Omah]

Update

Armed police officers could be seen next to the single-decker coach on the southbound carriageway, as passengers were led off one by one.

Passengers were made to sit on the northbound carriageway, apart from one another, while surrounded by officers.

Sniffer dogs and forensic officers were also brought in to aid the search, as officers in forensic suits and others in military fatigues checked the area.

[Omah]

Update

About four hours after armed officers arrived, police confirmed the scene as safe. Shortly before 1500 BST the M6 Toll reopened.

The passengers have been allowed to continue their journey to London, although some have chosen to return north, to Manchester.

A police spokesperson said: "We received a report from a genuinely concerned member of the public about suspicious activity on a coach travelling on the M6 toll at Weeford, near Lichfield.

"Given the nature of the report we responded swiftly and proportionately, treating the information as credible and extremely seriously.

"The M6 Toll carriageways were closed in both directions, the coach was directed to the hard shoulder of the motorway and armed officers calmly evacuated passengers with their full support and co-operation.

"Following an initial assessment, we can confirm that no-one has been injured and that there is no danger to passengers at the scene or any other travellers who were on the motorway at that time.

"We are also not treating anyone as a suspect."

False alarm, then ..... :pipe:

Motorists on the M6 itself are experiencing delays of up to two-and-a-half hours.

In a statement, Staffordshire Police said: "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety."

[Omah]

The cause :

Staffordshire Police received a report from someone who saw vapour as the coach was near the M6 Toll plaza at Weeford, near Lichfield.

The force said on investigation they found the passenger had an electronic cigarette which produces a visible vapour.

:pipe:

[Kizzy]

How jumpy are our security services?...Is everyone looking forward to the olympics?...:)

[Omah]

How jumpy are our security services?...Is everyone looking forward to the olympics?...:)

I'm looking backward - I don't want to be near anything to do with the thing ..... :suspect:

[arista]

http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2012/7/5/179175/default/v1/daily-mail-front-page-1-329x437.jpg

All because he had a Electric Fag

The waste of fecking time on this , over 6 hours
ask the sod if he has the electronic fag
do not call Police.