An 84-year-old woman from Birmingham and a 63-year-old man from London have been identified today as the two victims of a horrific crash that left the M40 closed on Sunday night.

Bernadette Mzimba, 84, from the Sheldon area of Birmingham and Neo Mzimba, 63, from Sultan Street in the Camberwell area of London, died after a car crossed the central reservation of the motorway and collided with their vehicle.

Their identities were confirmed today by the Buckinghamshire Coroner's Office.

At about 7.15pm on Sunday, a silver BMW convertible crossed from the southbound carriageway between junctions 3, Loudwater, and 4, Handy Cross, onto the northbound carriageway.

It collided with a black Renault Clio and both vehicles caught fire.

Mr Mzimba, the driver of the Clio, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Bernadette Mzimba was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but later died.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue confirmed five cars and a van were involved in the collision in total, with three other people suffering injuries. South Central Ambulance Service sent three ambulance crews to the incident at 7.15pm, and a man was taken to Wexham Park Hospital for treatment.

Two others were treated at the scene and did not have to be taken to hospital.

The motorway was closed in both directions for more than four hours immediately after the devastating accident, with disruption continuing through to Monday morning.

Anyone who witnessed the collision on Sunday or saw the vehicles before the incident is asked to contact PC Matt Diduca from Amersham Roads Policing on 101.

  • A 32-year-old man from Ealing, London, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs. He has been released on bail until February 11.