Businessman from Japan dies as Heathrow taxi is hit by 32-ton lorry

A Japanese businessman was killed soon after landing at Heathrow when the taxi taking him into London was hit by a 32-ton lorry on the A4.

The dead man's two colleagues and the black-cab driver were injured in the crash, which closed one of the capital's busiest roads through yesterday's evening rush hour.

Police are interviewing the 44-year-old lorry driver. He was arrested late last night, after a hospital check-up, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Investigators are trying to work out why the truck, which was heavily laden with building aggregate, smashed through the central reservation of the A4 in Chiswick and onto the opposite carriageway.

The lorry struck two other cars before swerving back and coming to a rest on crash barriers. The taxi was spun round by the force of the impact.

Firefighters used cutting equipment to free the occupants, who were all taken to Charing Cross Hospital. One passenger died in hospital, and the other men were described as "walking wounded". The occupants of the other two cars escaped with minor injuries.

Police said it was lucky that many more people were not killed as the lorry ploughed through the oncoming traffic at 4.05 pm. Inspector Dave Toms-Sheridan, of the Met's road deaths investigation unit, said: "We understand the three passengers in the taxi were Japanese businessmen who had just landed in the country and were going into town.It is a terrible incident but it could have been much worse given that a 32-ton lorry fully loaded with aggregate carries an awful lot of momentum."

Witnesses are urged to call the police on 020 8941 9011.