M6 Toll Closed by armed police

rG-tom · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:32

BBC Site said:
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 Weeford Park Plaza, near Lichfield.

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 from the West Midlands and Staffordshire forces and ambulance crews are at the scene, helping to get people off the coach.

Wow, not an everyday occurance, what could they think is happening on the coach that warrants closing the whole motorway?

Would not be best pleased if I was stuck in that traffic!

touch · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:34

A cyclist was spotted to close to the motorway!

gord · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:35

Must have disarmed it already if it's dropped below 50.

Greebo · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:35

I would only guess that it's either armed men holding the people hostage on the bus or a bomb on board.

Alpherah · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:36

DannyShawBBC: Police op on M6 toll involving coach not linked to London terror arrests. Sources say man seen pouring liquid into bag which was smoking

RomanNose · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:37

Sounds like the driver has been driven to try and do something awful.

Marky · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:37

Keanu to the rescue!

TheLegendOfMart · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:41

Alpherah said:
DannyShawBBC: Police op on M6 toll involving coach not linked to London terror arrests. Sources say man seen pouring liquid into bag which was smoking

What, like hot water or tea???

antijoke · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:41

Pop quiz hotshot....

Burnsy2023 · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:42

I hope everyone stuck in traffic get refunds on their Toll. The normal M6 would have been faster this morning...

George Hincapie · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:43

Was someone cycling down it? :eek:

Fire_fly · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:45

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

Is this new police procedure for anyone that pulls over at the side of the road from now on?

Name · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:55

Is this related to the anti-terror raids in london today ? They're saying these arrests are not linked to the olympics in any way, yeah right...

misterPK · 5 Jul 2012 at 10:56

name89 said:
Is this related to the anti-terror raids in london today ? They're saying these arrests are not linked to the olympics in any way, yeah right...

The article says it's unrelated to the arrests.

Alpherah · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:00

People are being taken off 1 by 1 now - by armed special forces officers.

edit

ITV post a picture of the scene...

Traffic jam! Epic fail

rG-tom · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:09

Alpherah said:
People are being taken off 1 by 1 now - by armed special forces officers.

how much ammo do they have?!

shoes · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:11

Interesting.

Although I bet this turns out to be nothing.

estebanrey · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:11

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

Probably just an e-cigarette.

Alpherah · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:13

rG-tom said:
how much ammo do they have?!

Im just posting from the iTV update page

don't shoot the messenger

Passengers now off, 2 bomb disposal teams on site.. crikey

Name · 5 Jul 2012 at 11:18

When it says the coach pulled over of its own accord, does this mean it got pulled over by police ? or that it was just found idle on the hard shoulder...

and how on earth did they know explosives may be on board

this story is really interesting.