Traffic officer killed in M6 crash

A Highways England traffic officer was killed and his colleague seriously injured in a collision on the M6 in Cumbria on Sunday (21 February).

The officers had been responding to an incident on the southbound M6 between junctions 38 and 37 near Tebay Services when they were struck by a vehicle veering off the main carriageway just after midday.

Adam Gibb, 51, from Penrith, suffered fatal injuries and another officer, who is not being named, was airlifted to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough in a very serious condition.

The family of Adam have paid tribute to him in a statement: “Adam was a fantastic dad and a wonderful husband and will be deeply missed.

“He enjoyed mountain biking, fell running and walking on the fells with our dogs. Adam loved his job and really enjoyed being part of the team there.”

Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive at Highways England, said: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the two Highways England traffic officers who were involved in this terrible incident.

“The police are carrying out an investigation and we are assisting them in any way that we can. Everyone at Highways England has been deeply affected by this incident and we would ask that the privacy of those closest to the officers is respected at this difficult time.”