Families pay tribute following their loss
Tributes and photos have been released today by the families of two men who died following a collision on the M5 in the West Midlands at the weekend.
The incident happened in the early hours of 24 March when a lorry collided with a single decker bus on the southbound carriageway near to junction three.
Liaquat Ali, aged 35 and from Smethwick, was a passenger on the bus and died at the scene.
Mr Ali’s family said: “Liaquat was the loving husband of Fozia Shaheen and was the father of two sons and a daughter – Shafqat Ali aged 9, Mohammed Owais Ali aged 2 and Kashish Eman aged 6. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends and also leaves behind three brothers.”
On Saturday evening, a 65-year-old lorry driver from Wells in Somerset died in hospital. He has today been named as William Mapstone.
A tribute was also released by Mr Mapstone’s family:
“Our dad was tragically taken away from us while doing the job he so very much loved. We would very much like to thank the people who helped both us and dad through such a tragic time including all the emergency services that attended the scene to help dad on the motorway to try and save him.”
The driver of the bus, a 49-year-old Birmingham man, remains on bail in connection with the incident. No-one has been charged with any offences at this stage.
A 28-year-old man from Smethwick who was also a passenger on the bus remains in a critical condition in hospital.
An investigation continues to establish the circumstances which led to the collision and is likely to take some time.
Inspector Mark Watkins, from the Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision on the M5. Enquiries centre on the weather conditions at the time of the collision and how the bus came to be stationary in the carriageway. Officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw the bus travelling along the M5 prior to the collision.”
Both families are being supported by family liaison officers and ask that they are given privacy to deal with their loss.
Mr Ali is pictured left, Mr Mapstone is pictured on the right.
