THAMES Valley Police will be referring this morning’s crash on the A34 to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police officers were called to the southbound carriageway of the A34 at 3am after reports that a dead badger was causing an obstruction.

Traffic was slowed down so the badger could be removed but while this was happening the two vehicles collided.

The driver of one of the lorries was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but later died of his injuries.

Deaths and serious injuries which may have been caused by someone serving with the police have to be referred to the IPCC.

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said one man who was seriously injured had been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where he was later declared dead.

The other driver was treated for minor injuries.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters were called to the scene at 3.14am and left at 4.27am.

In addition, as a result of the diversion in place,  very slow, and heavier than normal, traffic was reported on Drayton Road (B4017) both ways between A4130 (Milton Hill) and A415 Ock Street / Spring Road (Abingdon).

Other nearby routes in the area have also been affected.