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Fatal lorry crash shuts motorway M40 part opens after fatal crash
(about 5 hours later)
A lorry driver has been killed in a crash on the M40, closing the motorway in both directions on the border of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Part of the M40 has reopened after a fatal crash closed the motorway in both directions, causing traffic chaos.
The crash, which happened in the early hours in freezing conditions, involved two lorries and shut all lanes between junctions six and four at High Wycombe. A 49-year-old lorry driver was killed when his vehicle collided with another HGV early on Wednesday morning.
The lorry driver was pronounced dead at the scene. One of the lorries shed its load of lard across all lanes shutting the motorway completely, between junctions four and five in Buckinghamshire.
Police have urged drivers to avoid the M40, A40 and A41 in the High Wycombe, Stokenchurch and Aylesbury areas. The southbound carriageway is now open but northbound is expected to stay closed until 2300 GMT, police said.
One lorry shed its load of lard across both carriageways of the motorway. Diversions were set up on the A40 after the incident but a tree branch fell on to the road causing further problems and delays, a Buckinghamshire County Council spokesperson said.
The road will not reopen until 1630 GMT at the earliest, said a Thames Valley Police spokesman who also appealed for motorists stuck in traffic to be patient. Stuart Thompson, from the Highways Agency, said gritters had been out up to three times overnight across the south-east of England, including along the M40.
The Environment Agency is assisting with the clear up of the lard. 'Extra time'
Overnight gritting
Diversions have been set up on the A40 after a tree branch fell on to the road causing further problems, a Buckinghamshire County Council spokesperson said.
Stuart Thompson, from the Highways Agency, said the gritters were out up to three times overnight across the south east of England, including along the M40.
But he warned motorists to slow down and drive according to the conditions.But he warned motorists to slow down and drive according to the conditions.
"We were out last night doing everything we possibly could to ensure the roads were safe," he said."We were out last night doing everything we possibly could to ensure the roads were safe," he said.
The Oxford Bus Company said it was managing to maintain its services to London, Heathrow and Gatwick, although it warned there could be some delays.The Oxford Bus Company said it was managing to maintain its services to London, Heathrow and Gatwick, although it warned there could be some delays.
Airport buses are travelling via Aylesbury and the A41. Passengers were being advised to allow extra time for their journeys.Airport buses are travelling via Aylesbury and the A41. Passengers were being advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Police said that despite the southbound carriageway being reopened delays were likely.
Supt Richard List said: "We want to keep the A40 and other roads parallel to the M40 open but traffic will be very heavy and if you can avoid the area and the M40, please do so.
"Traffic will also be very heavy in High Wycombe, Amersham and Beaconsfield town centres as traffic leaves the M40."