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M40 in Warwickshire shut after fatal lorry crash and fire M40 in Warwickshire shut after fatal lorry crash and fire
(35 minutes later)
A man has died in a three-lorry crash on the M40, an hour after another lorry caught fire on the opposite carriageway. A man died in a three-lorry crash on the M40, an hour after another lorry caught fire on the opposite carriageway.
The crash at 04:00 BST on the northbound stretch between junctions 15 and 16 in Warwickshire also saw a second driver taken to hospital.The crash at 04:00 BST on the northbound stretch between junctions 15 and 16 in Warwickshire also saw a second driver taken to hospital.
The road has been closed in both directions as a result. The road was closed in both directions for 13 hours.
Highways England said it was likely to remain shut between Warwick and Henley-in-Arden "throughout" Friday. All northbound lanes and one southbound reopened at about 17:00, but Highways England said "long delays remain".
It added it hoped to have one lane of the southbound carriageway opened by 17:00, with a lane of the northbound side to be opened an hour later.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said a third driver was uninjured in the crash.West Midlands Ambulance Service said a third driver was uninjured in the crash.
A spokesman said: "On arrival, ambulance staff saw two lorries that were on fire. A third lorry was just in front of them.A spokesman said: "On arrival, ambulance staff saw two lorries that were on fire. A third lorry was just in front of them.
"Unfortunately, the driver of one lorry died at the scene."Unfortunately, the driver of one lorry died at the scene.
"The driver of a second lorry, a man in his 60s, was treated at the scene for a medical condition and was taken to Warwick hospital.""The driver of a second lorry, a man in his 60s, was treated at the scene for a medical condition and was taken to Warwick hospital."
Warwickshire Police added formal identification of the dead man, thought to be aged in his 40s, was yet to take place but his next of kin had been informed.Warwickshire Police added formal identification of the dead man, thought to be aged in his 40s, was yet to take place but his next of kin had been informed.
It said a file would be prepared for the coroner in due course.It said a file would be prepared for the coroner in due course.
Highways England said no-one had been injured in the earlier fire and recovery staff had begun to move the lorry from the southbound lanes.Highways England said no-one had been injured in the earlier fire and recovery staff had begun to move the lorry from the southbound lanes.
Warwickshire Police said: "Motorists are advised to avoid the area completely and follow diversions put in place."Warwickshire Police said: "Motorists are advised to avoid the area completely and follow diversions put in place."
Motorists cannot join the M40 from the M42 at junction 3A .Motorists cannot join the M40 from the M42 at junction 3A .
Keith Hinton, who lives near the site of the fire, said he was woken at about 03:00 by a "really loud bang".Keith Hinton, who lives near the site of the fire, said he was woken at about 03:00 by a "really loud bang".
"I looked out of the bedroom window and I could see flames and smoke and I realised there'd been a large accident on the motorway," he said."I looked out of the bedroom window and I could see flames and smoke and I realised there'd been a large accident on the motorway," he said.
Emergency planning officer Frank Bird said traffic had "overwhelmed" Henley-in-Arden.Emergency planning officer Frank Bird said traffic had "overwhelmed" Henley-in-Arden.
"We're trying to get something open southbound, but a lot of the lorry's load spilled across the road," he said."We're trying to get something open southbound, but a lot of the lorry's load spilled across the road," he said.
Group Commander Neil McElvenny, from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service, said: "These incidents have caused significant disruption for many, but we are working closely with Warwickshire Police and the Highways Agency and our priority is to make the area safe and open the M40 again as soon as possible."Group Commander Neil McElvenny, from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service, said: "These incidents have caused significant disruption for many, but we are working closely with Warwickshire Police and the Highways Agency and our priority is to make the area safe and open the M40 again as soon as possible."