NINE people had to crawl free from a minibus last night after it overturned on the motorway. 

The bus had been towing a trailer with a car loaded onto it when it crashed into the embankment of the M40, a mile from junction 9 heading southbound. 

Firefighters said the group were 'extremely fortunate' to escape from the severely damaged vehicle.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 8.09pm and three fire engines were mobilised from Bicester and Rewley Road fire stations, along with a specialist rescue tender from Kidlington Fire station. 

On arrival crews found the minibus on its side and separated from the trailer and car. 

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The nine people travelling inside the bus had freed themselves unaided and were being assessed by ambulance crews at the scene.

Thames Valley Police and Highways England traffic officers were also on the scene. 

Medically trained firefighters assisted paramedics in dealing with the casualties before they were taken to hospital.

Police are investigating the cause of the incident. 

Watch manager Pete Mackay from Bicester Fire Station said: “This incident shows that accidents can happen anytime, and it is extremely fortunate in this instance that all the people involved were able to be freed unaided from the vehicle.”