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The scene of this afternoon's collision on the M40.

THE southbound M40 has reopened after a major car smash left the motorway in chaos this afternoon.

Three cars were involved in the collision, which took place between junctions 2, Beaconsfield, and 1A, which links to the M25.

A male in his 40s was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with a head injury, and a woman in her 40s was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough. She also suffered a head injury.

Emergency services were called just before 2pm, and the southbound carriageway was shut at junction 2 soon after.

The Highways Agency reported that police have finished at the site, and motorists are being let back on the carriageway.

But fire crews raised raised further safety fears after trapped motorists left their cars on the carriageway and wandered into the hard shoulder.

Station Manager John Bull, who attended the incident, said: "I was very concerned about a number of road safety issues involving people who were stuck in the tailback.

"The most serious problems involved people gathering in groups on the hard shoulder or wandering along it, and vehicles in the nearside lane leaving passenger doors open to allow air in.

"Fire, police and ambulance vehicles all use the hard shoulder to gain access to incidents. When people are on the hard shoulder, or vehicle doors are partially blocking it, it poses additional problems for the emergency services at a time when they already have their hands full.

"I even saw a girl of about 10 running up and down between the Armco barriers of the centre reservation. Although one carriageway was stationary, four lanes on the other side were stiil in use."

He added: "We appreciate that if you are going to be stuck at the scene of a collision for several hours, you don't want to be sitting in your car all that time. But it is important to keep away from the hard shoulder, and not to leave car doors open if they are overhanging the hard shoulder."

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information is urged to contact Sgt Martin Harper via the 24 hour police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505.

6:21pm Friday 9th May 2008

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