A DRIVER who stopped to help at the scene of an accident on the M40 was killed after being struck by a passing lorry in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The good Samaritan died after stopping to help when a Mitsubishi pick-up truck travelling northbound between junctions five and six near Stokenchurch flipped over on the carriageway - killing a 14-year-old passenger.

Shortly afterwards the Saab driver spotted the accident and pulled up on the hard shoulder to help.

But he was hit by a lorry travelling in the outside lane of the motoway, which collided with him as he was standing next to the Mitsubishi, which was straddling the inside and middle lanes.

The Saab driver has been named as 49-year-old Gary Roberts from Birmingham, who was travelling alone.

The 14-year-old has been named as Raymond Lovelace. also from Birmingham. He was travelling in the pick-up with his dad and sister, who survived with only minor injuries.

Gemma Taylor, a spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service, said: "The boy had an arrest, but it looks as though he died at the scene because three ambulances were called, but none of them were given a hospital destination."

Rebecca Webber, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: "This is very unusual because although two people died there were no vehicle collisions.

"It was like two separate accidents.

"The Saab driver stopped to help and was hit by a lorry. He tragically died as a result of stopping to help. A passenger in the overturned car also died."

The accident happened at around 1.45am and three lanes of the M40 were shut until 8.30am on Sunday.

Diversions were put in place between junctions five and seven.

Police are now appealing for information.

Sergeant Bryan Smith, of Bicester Roads Policing Department, said: "A number of witnesses have come forward, however I would urge anyone who has any information or who was driving along this stretch of motorway in the early hours of this morning to contact me."

Hours later a small yellow car was involved in a separate collision on the M40, around 12.25pm, when it span round near junction 3, travelling north. One lane was closed by police while the car was removed. An air ambulance was called, but was later stood down.

One person was taken by ambulance to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough and is not thought to be in a critical condition.

Anyone with information about either incident should contact police on 08458 505 505 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 36-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed until February 13 and has not been charged.