03/06/2009

M40 Closed After Fatal Accident

One person has died following a crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire this morning.

The motorway is closed in both directions between Bicester and Banbury, after a lorry collided with two other vehicles before it crashed through the central reservation at around 6am.

One of the vehicles involved was carrying oxyacetylene gas canisters. The fire service said they need time to cool before being moved.

Police said they anticipated long delays and have closed the southbound carriageway at Junction 10.

Traffic is not being allowed on to the southbound carriageway at either junction ten and 11.

A police spokesman said: "The primary concern is public safety and the safety of the emergency services working at the scene, drivers are being urged to take alternative routes as the emergency services assess how long the closures will remain in place.

"There are currently closures in place on the M40 at junctions 10 and 11 southbound, and at junction 9 northbound."

(JM/BMcC)

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