Road close as five dies after horrific five-vehicle collision in Nuneaton

Five teenagers have been killed in a car crash, just hours before a party to celebrate one of the group’s 18th birthday.
All five friends were travelling in a Hillman Imp car when it collided with a van near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, at lunchtime on Friday.

Four of the young men died at the scene and a fifth was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries overnight.

They were just nice lads – I can’t see them doing anything stupid

Andrew Wilson
A Warwickshire Police spokeswoman said: “We believe the Hillman was negotiating a right-hand bend when for reasons unknown the driver lost control and collided with a van. It was an absolutely horrific accident.”

The driver of the vintage car, who died at the scene, has been named as Adam Peberdy, 17, from Bulkington, near Bedworth, in Warwickshire.

Craig Wilson, 17, and Jonathon Roberts, 17, both from New Arley, near Nuneaton, and James Carrington-Howell, 18, from Claybrooke Magna, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, also died at the scene.

Alexander Seaton, 17, from Nuneaton, died in hospital from his injuries overnight.

The fatal crash took place on the eve of Jonathon Robert’s 18th birthday, which was due to be celebrated with a party at a private club in nearby Fillongley.

‘Numb’

More than 120 friends and relations were due to attend the event on Saturday.

All five friends were students at King Edward VI College in Nuneaton.

A relative of Craig Wilson said: “They were going to the club in Fillongley to celebrate Johnny’s 18th.

“They were all good friends – we’re all feeling numb. All we can do is come together as a family to try and get through this.”

crash scene
The van also suffered damage in the collision
A childhood friend of Craig Wilson’s said the group would not have been driving fast.

“I grew up with Craig, he was like a little brother to me,” said Andrew Wilson, 21, who is no relation.

“They were just nice lads. I can’t see them doing anything stupid.”

The 43-year old male driver of the Iveco box van, and a 41-year-old female passenger, both from Nuneaton, received slight injuries in the collision.

An employee of the Fillongley Working Men’s Club, where the 18th birthday party was due to be held, said the teenager’s grandmother had telephoned on Saturday morning to break the news of the tragedy.