Desperate ‘migrants’ spotted fighting for air through hole in back of M25 lorry

A distressing picture showing two suspected migrants peering out from inside a lorry on the M25 near Heathrow has emerged.

The picture is believed to have been taken just days before 39 people were found dead in another lorry in Essex.

In the image, two men are seen apparently clambering for light. It was taken by another shocked motorist who was travelling alongside them.

They appear to be trying to get the attention of passing drivers.

Police are now said to be examining the image and video.

The driver who took the picture told Mirror Online: ‘It was in the middle of the day last Wednesday, just before the turn-off for the M40.

‘It was a strange sight. It was hard to tell how many people were inside, but it looked like they were crammed in tight.’

The 117-mile M25, which encircles Greater London, is one of the UK’s busiest motorways.

Migrants smuggled into England are thought to be frequently dropped off at M25 service areas, including Cobham Services.

Twenty-nine suspected illegal immigrants, believed to be from India, were arrested at Cobham in July this year.

In 2015, another 27 suspected illegal immigrants were arrested at the same location.

Police said today three people arrested in connection with the deaths in Essex have been released on bail.

The bodies of eight women and 31 men were found in the refrigerated trailer of the lorry in Grays on Wednesday morning.

The lorry driver, Maurice Robinson, 25, from Northern Ireland, is due to appear in court tomorrow charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

A man and woman, both 38, from Warrington, were arrested in Cheshire on Friday and a 46-year-old man from Northern Ireland was arrested at Stansted Airport later the same day.

All three had been questioned on suspicion of manslaughter and conspiracy to traffic people.