A1(M) expected to be closed for rush hour

"DON'T use the A1(M) to get home." That was the message from a police spokeswoman this afternoon, who said she expected the motorway to be closed for the rush hour after a multi-vehicle pile-up. The collision was between a lorry, a fire training vehicle a

“DON’T use the A1(M) to get home”.

That was the message from a police spokeswoman this afternoon, who said she expected the motorway to be closed for the rush hour after a multi-vehicle pile-up.

The collision was between a lorry, a fire training vehicle and a green Mercedes estate, and happened by the slip roads off and on, near the Clock, Welwyn, near junction six.

The Welsh lorry driver has been taken to the Lister Hospital after he suffered serious leg and abdomen injuries.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson, who attended the collision said: "On our arrival, a man who was driving an articulated lorry had collided with the rear of a fire appliance. He was severely trapped and injured. Welwyn based paramedics Tim Dent and Stephen Cole who arrived first at the scene were able to get in to the wreckage and stabilise the man whilst the fire fighters tried to free him."

Gary added: "It took well over an hour to free the man from his crushed cab and following further assessments by a doctor from the helicopter, he was taken to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage with abdominal and leg injuries."

Two firefighters, who were in a driver training appliance with an uninjured instructor, received minor injuries in the collision. They were also taken to the Lister Hospital for treatment.

A man and a woman who's car was involved in the collision were checked out by paramedics and they did not require to go to hospital.

The police spokeswoman added that the road is currently closed and “will not be open for quite some time”.

Drivers are currently being diverted at junction four, five, and junction six.

Witnesses should call police on 0845 33 00 222.