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Sudanese migrant hiding under lorry dies after falling beneath wheels on M25

Two men clung onto lorry as it crossed into UK via Eurostar

Heather Saul
Saturday 13 December 2014 11:34 GMT
Traffic was slowed between junctions 12 and 13 of the M25 (stock image)
Traffic was slowed between junctions 12 and 13 of the M25 (stock image) (PA)

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A Sudense man who is believed to have travelled to Britain from Calais by clinging onto the underside of the vehicle has died after falling beneath its wheels.

Scotland Yard said two men from the Sudan are thought to have climbed underneath a foreign HGV in the French port of Calais at around 11am and wedged themselves into position.

The lorry boarded the Eurostar and arrived in England 40 minutes later, where it joined the M25 and travelled towards London.

At approximately 7pm the two men, still clinging to the underside of the HGV, had become extremely cold and decided to leave the lorry.

While the HGV was stationary in lane one of the motorway, one of the men worked himself free and clambered down the nearby grass verge.

Police said the second man attempted to do the same, but the lorry began to move off and he is believed to have fallen beneath the rear wheels of the lorry suffering fatal injuries.

The Metropolitan Police said the driver did not stop at the scene but was later located by officers.

A member of the public spotted the man and pulled him to the edge of the carriageway, before driving off. A second man stopped and tried to help. London's Air Ambulance were called but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second man has been detained by police on suspicion of immigration offences. A road closure after the incident caused major traffic delays.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for witnesses to the fatal fail-to-stop traffic collision that took place at 7pm yesterday between junctions 24 and 25 of the M25.

Anyone with information should contact the Roads and Transport Policing Command witness line on 0208 991 9555 or dial 101 and ask for Alperton Traffic Garage.

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