Police warn risk-taking rubberneckers

Eighty drivers have have been given a written warning by Northamptonshire police after they took pictures as they drove by a serious accident on the M1.

Police officers say they took the unusual step of photographing the offenders as they felt their actions were dangerous.

Many of the drivers who passed the scene of the crash were travelling at speeds of 40mph.

The drivers were taking photographs of a lorry which had overturned on the M1. The driver, a 21-year-old woman was trapped inside.

As the emergency services tried to free her they were appalled as more than 80 drivers sped past, capturing the accident on phones and cameras

Northamptonshire Police says the incident comes at a time when deaths on the counties roads are rising.

The number of fatalities for the whole of last year was 19 - this year there have already been 25.

Its believed the forced is the first in the country to capture this kind of behaviour.

Officers say offenders have been warned this time - but in future they can expect to be prosecuted.