Lorry driver killed: M40 closed

8:33am Wednesday 29th October 2008

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A LORRY driver was killed on the M40 this morning.

The crash happened between junctions six and five of the southbound carriageway of the M40 and there are severe delays.

Traffic has been held up around Lane End and Stokenchurch after two lorries jackknifed.

One is causing delays between West Wycombe and Stokenchurch after getting into difficulty in Chipps Hill, while the other has jackknifed on the B482 between Stokenchurch and Marlow.

BFP photographer Sally Swift has been caught up in the traffic chaos.

She said villagers in Lane End had taken measures into their own hands and are stopping drivers going down Lane End Road to try and prevent others getting stuck on an icy bend.

The M40 crash, which involved two lorries, happened at about 3.20am this morning.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a man, was declared dead at the scene.

As a result of the crash one of the lorries shed its load of lard across all six lanes of both the north and south carriageway.

The southbound carriageway is currently closed at junction six at Lewknor and the northbound carriageway is currently closed at junction four at Handy Cross.

The closures have led to tailbacks on the motorway in both directions and motorists are being advised to avoid the area, and to only make their journey if totally necessary.

Traffic conditions are expected to return to normal at around 10am, according to the Highways Agency.

A Buckinghamshire County Council statement said: "The M40 is closed in both directions between junction 5 and 6 severely affecting commuters particularly in the High Wycombe area.

"There has been a fatal collision between two lorries and there is lard on the road which is very slippery and also facing freezing conditions.

"A diversion had been set up on the A40 but a lorry has jacknifed there causing further problems. The Highways Agency are dealing with the M40 but are estimating it could take five hours to clear."

The county council has also had to close three other roads around the county due to the winter weather chaos.

Trees have been brought down on Cadsdean Road and Long Down Hill in Cadstone and on Peters Lane in Whiteleaf. The roads are expected to be closed all day.