More than 40 vehicles in M40 fatal crash in Oxfordshire

MORE than 40 vehicles have been involved in a fatal crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire, police have said.

The motorway has been closed northbound between junction 9 at Bicester and junction 10 at Cherwell Valley services. The crash happened at about 07:45 GMT.

Thames Valley Police said at least one person had died.

South Central Ambulance Service says it is assessing more than 30 patients at the scene.

An ambulance spokeswoman said it was foggy at the time of the “major collision”.

She said it was too early to know the nature and severity of the injuries.

Police said the road would be closed “for a number of hours” and have warned motorists to avoid the area because of “heavy traffic congestion”.

The force said officers were working to relieve traffic stuck on the northbound carriageway.

A couple of southbound lanes are also shut along the same stretch.

On Twitter, Zara Smith, who was stuck at junction 9, said a number of lorries had jackknifed in “thick fog”.

“Lots of people were walking around but the police are working hard to turn us round,” she said.