Police taskforce ‘first on scene’ of crash which closed M40

Traffic was halted on the major trunk motorway at about midday on Friday, August 7, because of a serious collision.

Cars were stopped and diverted before junction 10 with Ardley heading northbound on the motorway, before junction 11 with Banbury, and drivers travelling southbound were also stopped to allow an air ambulance to land.

An air ambulance attended the scene of the crash (stock image) (Image: Thames Valley Air Ambulance)

READ MORE: M40 closed with two hour delays due to ‘serious’ crash

Cars experienced delays in excess of two hours on the northbound approach, with six miles of congestion reported, as well as significant delays on the A34 towards the Wendlebury Interchange and junction with the M40.

Thames Valley Police has been approached for more information on what happened but has not provided a response.

The motorway had reopened by about 3pm but residual delays remained for much of the afternoon.

Traffic being diverted off the M40 as the motorway was closed due to the crash (Image: National Highways)

Thames Valley Police’s rural crime taskforce, which frequently patrols the countryside across the north of Oxfordshire, have now revealed its officers were the first on the scene.

A spokesperson said they provided ‘an immediate response and support to those invovled’ and it is understood other emergency responders subsequently attended the scene.

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The officers also dealt with a stolen car in Kidlington and seized a van with no insurance whose driver had no licence.

In Chieveley, the taskforce arrested a driver on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs and driving whilst unfit through drugs, without a licence and without insurance.

It was described as a ‘proactive day highlighting the wide range of incidents Rural Crime Taskforce officers respond to across the force area’ by the team.