M1 traffic latest: M1 CLOSED near Meadowhall after man dies in serious crash
A DRIVER has died following a horror crash on the M1 Southbound near Meadowhall, when a car hit the central reservation and went into embankment of the busy motorway.
Police confirmed a 61-year-old man died at the scene from his injuries. All lanes on the southbound carriageway were closed between junctions 35 for Rotherham/Chapeltown to 34 for Tinsley/Meadowhall for the majority of this morning, before re-opening at about 2pm. Congestion was also backing up to junction 37 for Barnsley, with diverted routes also heavily congested.
The northbound carriageway after junction 34 was held for a short time to allow for an air ambulance to arrive to depart.
South Yorkshire Police said in a statement: "At around 7.10am today (Wednesday 10 April), it was reported that a van had overturned and been in collision with a barrier on the M1 southbound between junctions 34 and 35.
"Emergency services attended but the 61-year-old driver sadly died at the scene. His family members have been informed and are being supported by our officers.
"The M1 southbound is currently closed between junctions 34 and 35 and is expected to re-open in the next hour. The northbound M1 has now re-opened after closing to allow the Air Ambulance to land.
"An investigation is underway and anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 164 of April 10 2019."
One eyewitness said that the driver "hit the central reservation and went" into the embankment during the crash.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was among the emergency services called to the scene amid reports that a person was being resuscitated after the accident.
Fire services from Tankersley, Elm Lane, Rivelin and Dearne stations were also called to the scene.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that traffic trapped by the accident had been released.
Elsewhere on the M1, there was a further two-vehicle crash at the Berrygrove roundabout for J5 at Watford at around 10.30am.
The accident has caused delays on all routes into Berrygrove.