Oxfordshire hit with three serious crashes in under 24 hours

The county was under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from the Met Office. Drivers were warned about snowy and icy conditions with the alert in place until midday yesterday (Friday, January 2). However, as many as three crashes occurred during this period, with all three occurring within 24 hours.

The Farmer's Dog pub in west Oxfordshire. (Image: Ben Birchall / PA) A pedestrian, a man in his 40s, suffered serious injuries in a crash involving a black Toyota Prius on the High Street, outside Magdalen College, at around 2.40am yesterday (Friday, January 2). He is in a life-threatening condition and remains in hospital at this time.

No arrests have been made. Investigating officer Police Sergeant James Matthews, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this collision or the moments leading up to it, to come forward. "I am particularly appealing to anyone who saw a man in the area, prior to the collision, carrying a guitar, to please contact us.

"I am also looking to speak to the driver of a lorry which I believe was stopped in the area, shortly before the collision. "I would like to stress that the driver of the lorry is a witness, who may be able to assist us with our investigation. "If you have any information, please call 101 or make an online report, via our website, quoting reference number 43260001293."

The road was closed in both directions following the crash and reopened just after 9.30am. The previous day, there was an incident at the roundabout on the A40 and B4047 near Jeremy Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog, at around 4.40pm. A collision occurred between a red Honda CR-V and a silver Vauxhall Corsa on the A40 westbound by Asthall Barrow Roundabout on Burford Road.

Four people from both vehicles suffered serious injuries and are receiving hospital treatment, and no arrests have been made at this time. Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service both attended and temporarily shut the road. Two fire engines from Witney and Burford fire stations were sent, as well as a special rescue vehicle from Kidlington fire station.

Police officers were in attendance at all three crashes (stock photo). (Image: Police) On arrival, occupants were out of the vehicles; however, fire crews supported ambulance colleagues with emergency medical care at the scene. Investigating officer PC Craig Ridgley, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "I would ask that anyone who was in or near the area in which this collision took place, to get in touch with us if you saw anything or have any information.

"If any motorists in the area have dash cam footage, please check if it has captured anything, as it could help our investigation. "You can contact the police by calling the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43260000848, or by making a report online." Stay connected to the heart of Oxfordshire for less! ?

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Police at Magdalen Bridge on High Street, Oxford (file photo of previous incident in the same location). The third serious crash then occurred at around 10.11am where Camp Lane meets B4086 near Banbury in the north of the county near Banbury. Emergency services confirmed seven people and five cars were involved in the serious smash.

One person was trapped in their vehicle while the ambulance service took care of a casualty, according to firefighters. Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, and West Midlands Ambulance Service all attended the crash. Help support trusted local news

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A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: "This is a five-vehicle RTC where Camp Lane meets B4086, which occurred at 10.11am. Fire and ambulance have also responded."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were alerted at 10.12am on Friday, January 2, to reports of a road traffic[9] collision with one person trapped in their vehicle. "Two crews attended the scene and, on arrival, found five vehicles and seven persons involved, with one casualty taken into the care of the ambulance service (log 1335). "We were at the scene for around 17 minutes before the incident, and road closure was handed over to Warwickshire Police (log 2098)."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called shortly before 10am to a road traffic collision involving multiple vehicles at the junction of Camp Lane and the B4086 in Ratley and Upton.

"One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene, and upon arrival, we found a man who was the driver of a car.

"He was assessed and had sustained injuries not believed to be serious, and he was conveyed to Horton General Hospital for further assessment."

References

1. ^ 'Seven people and five cars' involved in crash at border (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
2. ^ Five vehicles in serious crash as police close road (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
3. ^ Police statement after city centre crash closes road in both directions (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
4. ^ https://t.co/RZQMIFMB3r (t.co)
5. ^ November 18, 2025 (twitter.com)
6. ^ County hit with snow after Met Office weather warning (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
7. ^ Major city road closed in both directions after crash (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
8. ^ https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/ (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
9. ^ traffic (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)