Teen Army cadet brothers killed in horror M1 bridge automobile plunge as tributes paid

Brothers Luke Jackson, 18, and Ethan Jackson, 16, from Barwell, died after a car left a bridge above the M1 – they were described as having lived life ‘well and to the fullest’

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Queues on the M1

Inquests have begun into the tragic deaths of two teenage brothers who lost their lives when a car plummeted from a bridge onto a motorway. Luke Jackson, 18, and Ethan Jackson, 16, from Barwell, were remembered as having lived life “well and to the fullest” following their fatal collision on April 10.

The inquests, which commenced at Leicester City and South Leicestershire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday (June 10), revealed that the incident involved a car departing from the Gilmorton Lane overbridge above the M1 southbound carriageway near Lutterworth.

Both brothers were in the car at the time of the accident. The causes of death has not been publicly disclosed, with the coroner stating she was privy to it but would not read it into the record, reports Leicestershire Live.

Assistant Coroner Mrs Hockin adjourned both inquests, citing that a “collision examination report” had yet to be received and that she was informed it could be some time before it arrived.

Police reported that a blue car travelling along Gilmorton Lane towards Lutterworth left the road bridge above the carriageway and collided with a white Fiat Ducato minibus travelling southbound on the M1.

Four people in the minibus were transported to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Both brothers were students and members of the 198 Squadron Air Cadets, with the squadron praising them for having “served their community and squadron with respect and integrity”.

Friends recalled them as inseparable, noting there was never a moment spent with them that didn’t end in laughter.

One of his fellow cadets penned: “Luke was like a big brother – the kind of person I could talk to about anything and would give advice no matter what it was. Ethan was always a team player and would somehow always have a joke to lighten the mood. Both were taken far too early, but the memories and good times will always remain.”

Former educators at King Edward VI College, where Luke was a student, characterised him as “a good-natured and popular student” who demonstrated “great resilience” and was “greatly missed” by both staff and peers.

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Anyone possessing dashcam footage or who witnessed either vehicle prior to the collision is urged to get in touch with Leicestershire Police on 101, referencing incident number 308 of 10th April.

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