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UK travel

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Original poster

Worried someone travelling to me has been in an accident

135 replies

Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 17:33

My elderly parents were driving to visit me today. They left home at 9 and it's a max 4 hour journey and they haven't arrived. Can't find any reports of serious accidents on highways agency website. Both of their phones seem to be switched off as going straight to automated can't take your call right now.
The journey's 120 miles so not sure where to start ringing around hospitals. Any ideas for who else I could call to find out of they might have been in an accident?

OP posts:
MrsFloof · 07/12/2023 17:49

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/m6-crash-update-major-delays-of-three-hours-in-stafford-after-multi-vehicle-crash/ar-AA1l9beH don't know if this is on their route but talks of long delays on route

Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 17:49

They would have stopped once or twice for breaks (toilet and food) but would just have been services.

They do have form for doing daft things like having their phones off unless they want to make a call.

I will be so cross with them if they've just decided to go on a sightseeing detour without telling anyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 17:50

Stafford would be on the route

OP posts:
WilmaWonka · 07/12/2023 17:52

Did they give you a time that they’d be with you OP? Suppose they could have stopped to do some shopping but I’d have thought they have given an indication of arrival?

Did they plan to be with you for lunch? Planning on staying overnight?

Bit odd both phones are off. I’m sure they would have contacted you if they’d broken down and phone batteries were low?

Really hope all is OK and they turn up soon.

LubaLuca · 07/12/2023 17:54

They do have form for doing daft things like having their phones off unless they want to make a call.

My mum is just like this too, then doesn't understand the fuss when she turns up hours later than expected having been completely off the radar all day. She wanted to look in a garden centre, and then she saw a sign for a craft show so went 20 miles off three motorway to buy a lavender bag!

I'm sure they just got caught up in the traffic jam and decided to come off the road for a bit. But do tell them off for not letting you know when they do turn up!

Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 17:54

We were expecting them around 1, maybe 2 if they hit bad traffic. It's a snarly route and they don't drive fast and take breaks.

News report pp linked to said one young women taken to hospital after that Stafford accident so not them but could have been caught up behind that.

Why are both their phones off?

OP posts:
rileynexttime · 07/12/2023 17:58

https://twitter.com/Traffic_M6

Worried someone travelling to me has been in an accident
FortofPud · 07/12/2023 17:58

Might they have packed their phones in the boot and don't feel able to get out and rifle for them in stoppy starty motorway traffic.

TempleMeads · 07/12/2023 17:58

Sorry you’re worrying OP, do they have older phones that don’t hold battery and no car charger? Hope you have news soon.

Seeline · 07/12/2023 17:59

Were they actually driving Manchester to London? Four hours is pushing it even without stops. If they stopped a couple of times and don't drive particularly quickly, I would think 5-6 hours more likely. And if there has been an accident, it could be even longer.

heldinadream · 07/12/2023 17:59

@Schoolchoicesucks do they charge their phones in the car? If they don't, do they turn them off to save charge?
I'm not surprised you're worried, it does sound as if the Stafford incident has held them up in some way.
Hope you track them down soon and they're safe. Flowers

Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 18:00

Seeline · 07/12/2023 17:59

Were they actually driving Manchester to London? Four hours is pushing it even without stops. If they stopped a couple of times and don't drive particularly quickly, I would think 5-6 hours more likely. And if there has been an accident, it could be even longer.

They're South of Manchester and we're north of London

OP posts:
Doingmybesteveryday · 07/12/2023 18:00

There was a massive crash on the m6? Took my parents 6 hours to travel from the north west to the midlands today, so southbound, but not sure which direction of the carriageway the crash was on. Perhaps they are caught up in the traffic caused by that? Hope the get to you safely soon

LubaLuca · 07/12/2023 18:01

Why are both their phones off?

Do they normally call or message when they're on their way to you, or update you if they think they'll be later than expected? I know my mum never would - even as a passenger in a car she thinks it's a bit risky and distracting to use her phone 🙄

mammamummym · 07/12/2023 18:01

Who was driving them? Can you check with whoever that is?

Chersfrozenface · 07/12/2023 18:01

What would be their route from the M1 to your address? How familiar are they with it? Could they have got list on that bit? Especially in the rain after dark

You'd expect them to phone if so. Would they do that?

Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 18:01

Doingmybesteveryday · 07/12/2023 18:00

There was a massive crash on the m6? Took my parents 6 hours to travel from the north west to the midlands today, so southbound, but not sure which direction of the carriageway the crash was on. Perhaps they are caught up in the traffic caused by that? Hope the get to you safely soon

Thanks, that sounds very possible

OP posts:
LouMorris · 07/12/2023 18:02

Apparently there are delays of about 1 1/2 hours on the m1 near Sheffield (so my dad just texted to tell me - even thought I’m on the train not on the m1 😂)

GoodnightJude1 · 07/12/2023 18:08

I hope they arrive safely and it was just due to traffic. How worrying for you 💐

harriethoyle · 07/12/2023 18:13

@Schoolchoicesucks if they've form for having phones off unless they're making a call (as my parents did!) I'd bet on them being caught up in post accident chaos. My DP once went away for weekend leaving me housesitting. Phones off and a water pipe burst and I couldn't contact them to find out where the well hidden stopcock was! 🤣🙈

MermaidEyes · 07/12/2023 18:14

There's been a lot of accidents on major roads near me today, mainly because of people driving like dickheads in high winds and heavy rain (I'm midlands). So it may be they've been caught up in several traffic jams and just haven't thought to contact you. Hopefully they'll be arriving soon in need of a cuppa.

Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 18:19

They're here

OP posts:
Original poster
Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 18:19

They were stuck for 4 hours. They "sent" a text. Except didn't press send. And switched their phones off

OP posts:
Greenshed · 07/12/2023 18:20

Thank goodness. A huge relief for you.

Mamette · 07/12/2023 18:21

Schoolchoicesucks · 07/12/2023 18:19

They're here

Great news

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