A man and a woman both in their 20s have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing death by careless driving after a 46-year-old man died in a collision on the M40.

The accident happened near to the junction for Milton Common on the southbound carriageway of the motorway at 12.05am yesterday.

Police said a green Rover and a silver Astra were involved in a collision.

A 46-year-old man from Brighton – who was a passenger in the Rover – died at the scene, a police spokesman said.

The female driver of the Astra and the male driver of the Rover sustained minor injuries.

The M40 was closed for five hours between junctions 8A for the Oxford services and junction six for Watlington, while the police and accident investigators examined the scene.

Sgt Nick Perks, from Abingdon Police Station, said: “It is possible that there were other motorists in the area at the time and I’m appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicles involved prior to the collision and also anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact me.”

Anyone with any information should call Sgt Perks on 08458 505505, or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.