VIDEO: Dramatic dash cam footage released of six vehicle smash

WARWICKSHIRE Police has released dramatic dash cam footage of a six vehicle collision in Stratford which resulted in serious injuries to drivers and extensive damage to their vehicles.

The footage has been released following the conviction of a lorry driver, on Friday 20th May 2016, who has been sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for five counts of dangerous driving.

Martin Gibson, aged 54, of Bathurst Road, Gloucester pleaded guilty on 25th April 2016, following the collision which occurred on the A46 at Bishopton, Stratford upon Avon on 21st May 2015.

He was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court, where he was also disqualified from driving for three years and one month, and ordered to take an extended driving test.

Mr Gibson was driving an articulated lorry on the A46 northbound towards Bishopton when the lorry collided with a white Renault Kangoo causing a multiple collision involving a grey Volkswagen Golf, white BMW 1 Series, black Nisssan Qashqai and a black Kawasaki motorcycle, which had all slowed down due to the approaching busy traffic. The drivers of the other vehicles were left with serious injuries some of which were deemed life changing.

Investigating Officer, PC Craig Marshall of Warwickshire Police' Operational Patrol Unit said: "We have issued the footage, with the agreement of the families of those affected by the incident, as a warning to drivers to pay attention when behind the wheel.

"Mr Gibson's dangerous driving had caused substantial damage, and had the potential to cause loss of life of those within the vehicles that were struck in the space of a few seconds.

"All of this could have been avoided if he had paid attention to the road and anticipated possible traffic conditions ahead involving actions of other drivers.

"This just shows that not paying attention when behind the wheel of any vehicle can have life changing effects to those involved.

"I hope the sentence handed down by the court sends a stark warning to anyone who takes irresponsible and dangerous risks on the roads - it is simply not worth it."

Full court story in tomorrow’s Herald – Thursday.