Man killed in M1 crash in Hertfordshire today that left motorway shut to traffic for most of day
A 58-year-old man has been killed following two crashes on the M1 motorway in Hertfordshire that left the motorway shut near its junction with the M25 for most of the day today (Monday, July 31). Police and paramedics were called to the M1 near Junction 6A at around 5am.
Two vehicles, a a Kia and a BMW, crashed on the southbound carriageway. Hertfordshire Police said it was believed two people had got out of one of the vehicles before police arrived.
Shortly after, police were called by the ambulance service to a separate crash on the M1 northbound involving a van and a pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and his family have been informed.
Both the northbound and southbound carriageways were closed to traffic[2] between Junction 6 and Junction 8 as a result of the incident. Traffic diversions were in place,[3] with the southbound M1 reopening shortly before 3pm and the northbound route reopening shortly before 4pm.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “All closures have now been lifted on the M1 between J6 and J8 Hemel Hempstead following this morning’s serious collision. Link roads from the M25 are also in preparation of opening.”
Sergeant Ian Manley, from the Hertfordshire Police Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this very difficult time. Our enquiries into the collisions are continuing, but at this time we are treating them as linked. We believe the man who passed away was travelling in one of the vehicles involved in the first collision. We are still working to trace the other person who left the scene prior to our arrival.
“I am particularly interested in speaking to a coach driver who was driving north on the M1 at the time of the incident and may have crucial information to help with our investigation. Did you see what happened, or have any information that may help our enquiries? Additionally, if you were driving in the area and have a dash cam fitted, please check it as you may have recorded come crucial footage that could assist our investigation.”
A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson added: “Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Ian Manley[4] You can also report information online[5], speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat[6] at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101[7], quoting ISR 64 of 31 July, 2023. Always dial 999[8] in an emergency. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form (opens in a new window)[9].”
References
- ^ Two freed after car ends up in ditch on A14 (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ northbound and southbound carriageways were closed to traffic (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ Traffic diversions were in place, (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ Sergeant Ian Manley (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
- ^ report information online (www.herts.police.uk)
- ^ online web chat (bchpolicesupport.imsupporting.com)
- ^ 101 (tel)
- ^ 999 (tel)
- ^ untraceable online form (opens in a new window) (crimestoppers-uk.org)