Two men have been killed on the motorway following a huge crash which has seen roads remain closed overnight.
National Highways has confirmed that the M40 in Buckinghamshire is closed in both directions between J9 (Bicester) and J8A (Tiddington) following a serious collision.
Thames Valley Police are on the scene and carrying out collision investigation work, while National Highways traffic officers remain in attendance.
There is currently no estimated time for when the motorway will re-open, with the road expected to remain closed throughout the busy morning and into the afternoon.
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The stretch of motorway is not expected to reopen until the afternoon at the earliest
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Traffic caught within the closures has been released via a combination of rearward relief and being escorted slowly past the scene.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that two men died at the scene, while two other men were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The force added: "A full road closure is in place on the M40 in both directions between Junction 9 and Junction 8a due to a fatal road traffic collision, which occurred at around 10.41pm yesterday (24/3). Two men sadly died at the scene.
"We would ask the public to please avoid the area and find alternative routes while officers remain at the scene. We will provide further updates when we can."
National Highways: East has taken to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, to warn drivers of "long delays" building southbound.
Motorists face traffic havoc on the approach to the M40 closure between J9 and J8A, with the highways agency calling for drivers to allow extra travel time.
There are delays of 30 minutes above normal travel time with four miles of congestion heading southbound, while there is approximately one mile of congestion on the approach northbound.
National Highways has set out diversion routes with drivers advised to follow the hollow triangle symbol heading southbound and the hollow diamong symbol when travelling nortbound.
Southbound
- Exit the M40 southbound at J9 and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout to join the A34 southbound towards Oxford
- Travel on the A34 south for approximately 6 miles and exit at the Peartree Roundabout junction with the A44
- At the Peartree Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A44 towards Oxford and continue southbound towards the next roundabout, the A40 Wolvercote Roundabout
- At the Wolvercote Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A40 towards London and continue for approximately 10 miles to re-join the M40 southbound at J8
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Drivers are being urged to avoid the area
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Northbound
- Exit the M40 northbound at J8, joining the A40, and continue for approximately 6 miles to the Headington Roundabout with the A4142
- Take the 1st exit onto the A4142 towards Westgate/Cowley
- Follow the A4142 for approximately 5 miles to the Hinksey Hill Interchange with the A34 and take the 3rd exit to join the A34 northbound
- Remain on the A34 northbound for approximately 12 miles to re-join the M40 northbound at J9
