Fatal accident closes M1

Fatal crash closes one of the busiest sections of the M1

A passenger in a van died after it was in collision with a lorry on a motorway slip road in Hertfordshire on Friday.

The fatal accident caused huge traffic jams on the London-bound carriageway in one of the busiest sections of the M1.

The motorway was closed southbound at Junction 4 south of Watford and all vehicles were stopped from joining the motorway south of this point.

London-bound traffic was soon tailing back for several miles as commuters travelled into the capital.

"The section of road was closed around 6.30am and this has caused severe congestion further back on the M1 and on surrounding roads as drivers attempt to head south," said a spokeswoman for AA Roadwatch.

The Metropolitan Police said the accident happened at around 05.50 GMT on a slip road off Junction 3 of the M1 when the van collided with the back of a lorry.

The van driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries and was in a stable condition.

A passenger in the van was killed and the lorry driver suffered shock.

"We are advising drivers to avoid the area if possible," said a police spokeswoman.