Two people have died and six others have been injured in a collision involving a minibus and a lorry.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said both victims killed in the accident near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency crews, including three ambulances, were called to the crash on the A511 at Tutbury shortly before 7am today.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Despite the intervention of ambulance crews, two patients were confirmed dead at the scene.
"A man in his 20s was taken to Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, with serious head injuries. The patient was sedated by medics before being conveyed by land ambulance.
"A further male was treated for chest pain and was taken to Queen's Hospital in Burton.
"Four patients were assessed at the scene for minor injuries and were later taken to Queen's Hospital in Burton for further assessment and treatment."
Staffordshire Police confirmed that the casualty taken to hospital in Nottingham was in a critical condition.
Superintendent Jane Hewett said: "Our thoughts are with all of those involved and their families.
"We're currently carrying out enquiries into how this collision happened, gathering evidence from the scene and speaking to witnesses. This is likely to take some time given the nature of the incident.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the responding agencies for their support."