A driver had to be cut free from their car and suffered potentially serious injuries in a crash on the M40.

The vehicle left the motorway and crashed into a ditch, leaving the driver injured and trapped.

Fire crews from Watlington, Thame and Rewley Road fire stations worked with South Central Ambulance Service paramedics and Thames Valley Air ambulance HEMS Doctors to free the casualty.

Two off-duty paramedics we already treating the driver when they arrived.

Hydraulic cutting equipment was used to take the roof off the vehicle.

Incident Commander CM Brennan of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our firefighters quickly stabilised the car and working with paramedics were able to cut the roof off to be able to get the driver from the car."

Police temporarily closed the road between junctions 5 and 6 from Stokenchurch to Watlington to allow the air ambulance to land.

Traffic was also stopped from joining the motorway at J5 and J6 and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

The southbound carriageway was reopened at around 1.20pm but an eyewitness estimated there were three-and-a-half mile queues of traffic on the northbound carriageway.

Police have started an investigation into the crash.

CM Brennan urged motorists to consider adjusting their speed in winter, always wear seatbelts and drive to the road conditions.