UPDATED: Major six vehicle accident closes A1M

The air ambulance landed at the scene and reports say up to a dozen emergency vehicles including three fire units, police and ambulance are at the scene.

The accident closed the road southbound and the northbound carriageway was also shut to allow the air ambulance to land.

The crash involved six vehicles, including a Peugeot which has left the road, hit a tree and come to rest on its roof.

A white van, minibus, white Ford Fiesta, and white Mercedes saloon have also been damaged in the crash.

One person, a passenger in a car near the accident said: “All lanes are at a standstill. It looks very serious indeed. Drivers should avoid the area at all costs. There are a large number of emergency vehicles and the air ambulance has arrived.

“Drivers caught in the queues have switched off their engines and the road is completely stationary.”

Highways England said the accident happened between junctions 17 and 16 at Norman Cross. It described the incident as “extremely serious”.

Cambridgeshire police said via social media: “Junction 17-16 both carriageways are now closed while police deal with serious incident please avoid the area if you can.”

The northbound and southbound carriageway were reopened following investigation work and recovery at around 9.30pm.

UPDATE: “Lucky escape” for motorists as nobody is seriously injured in major six vehicle crash on A1M