M40 CLOSED: Woman fighting for life after crash in Oxfordshire – day after 3 killed on M40
THE M40 motorway had to be shut down for the second time in less than 24 hours after another horror crash left a woman fighting for her life.
Moment car drives down the wrong side of the M40
The busy road was closed between junctions 8 and 8A in Oxfordshire in both direction today after a crash taking place at 3.30pm.
A silver Lexus and a refuse lorry were involved in a sickening road accident that could have deadly consequences, Thames Valley Police said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as a “serious collision” left a woman, who was in the Lexus, in “life-threatening” conditions.
She was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford shortly after.
A female passenger in the Lexus suffered serious and life-threatening head and facial injuries and has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford
Another passenger in the car and its driver reported minor injuries and were also taken to hospital.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "The M40 remains closed northbound between junctions 8 and 8A northbound following a serious collision.
"At around 2.50pm on Tuesday a silver Lexus was in collision with a refuse lorry.
"A female passenger in the Lexus suffered serious and life-threatening head and facial injuries and has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
"Another passenger in the Lexus and the driver of the car suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
"The driver of the lorry was not injured."
The Thames Valley Police’s Road Policing unit announced at 4.40pm the reopening of the southbound carriageway.
They wrote on Twitter: “M40 collision update: Following the serious road traffic collision earlier, the southbound carriageway has now fully re-opened between junctions 8A and 8.
“The northbound carriageway remains closed at this time.
“Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident.”
The northbound carriage remained closed while police officers carried out their investigation - sparking severe delay and chaos during rush hour.
Highways England wrote on Twitter: "#M40 between J8 - J8A. The northbound carriageway remains CLOSED at this time.
"@ThamesVP accident investigation has begun. Please allow extra time for your journey today."
Bus service was also disrupted, according to Oxford Bus Company, which tweeted: "Service update: Due to an incident on M40, our X90 service is being diverted and are experiencing delays of up to 45 minutes. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause."
All lines reopened at approximately 7.30pm.
Highways England wrote on Twitter: "All lanes on the M40 have now re-opened after the earlier collision. Traffic is flowing well in the area. Thank you for your patience today."
This crash took place less than 24 hours after two elderly people and a man in his 30s were killed just a few miles away.
A shocking video shows terrified drivers swerving away before pulling over onto the side of the motorway to avoid a car towing a caravan driving on the wrong side of the motorway.
The car ploughed into two vehicles near junction six in South Oxfordshire shortly after.
Thames Valley Police received reports of the Subaru Forester SUV being driven south on the northbound carriageway of the M40 shortly approximately at 4pm on Monday.
A few minutes later it crashed into two other cars - a Ford Mondeo and a Ford Focus.