Man dies in M40 crash, motorway closed (From Oxford Mail)

Man dies in M40 crash, motorway closed

10:23am Saturday 5th May 2012 in News By Amanda Williams

A man has died and three people have been seriously hurt after a taxi overturned on the M40 earlier this morning.

The white Mercedes people carrier-style taxi was travelling southbound and crashed through the central reservation barrier into the northbound carriageway at around 5am.

The vehicle, which is believed to have travelled from the High Wycombe area, was carrying six passengers and a driver, all were men.

One of the passengers was pronounced dead at the scene and three other passengers have been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with serious injuries.

One of these is believed to be life threatening.

Sgt Bryan Smith from the Roads Policing Team based at Bicester said: “Because of the nature of the accident, the M40 has been closed in both directions between junction 8 at Thame and junction 9 at Bicester.

“We anticipate that the road will be closed for a number of hours to allow for an investigation of the collision to take place and full clear-up operation to happen.

“I would advise all motorists to avoid the road and find alternative routes as the road closure is expected to be in place for several hours.

“I would also appeal for anyone who was travelling along the M40 around the time the collision was reported to us, who may have witnessed this incident, to come forward and speak with us about what they saw.”

Anyone with information should contact Sgt Smith on 101.