A woman was airlifted to hospital after her black Volkswagen Polo and a red Ford Focus collided on the M40 yesterday. Police were called to the crash between Junctions 8a and 9 on the northbound carriageway at 11.15am.

The woman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, but her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Several others were also taken to hospital by ambulance after being freed from their car by fire crews.

The inside lane of the motorway remained closed until about 2pm.