M1 Northbound Shutdown After Terrifying HGV Smash near Northampton
The M1 northbound at Junction 15 is still shut after a brutal smash between two heavy goods vehicles overnight. Drivers were stuck for over five hours following the horror collision.
Terrifying Crash Involving UPS and DHL Lorries
The crash involved two articulated lorries thought to be from UPS and DHL. Both were en route to national parcel hubs in the Midlands when the smash happened just before Junction 15A’s exit slip road.
Emergency crews were called out just after midnight on Tuesday. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue fought for over four hours to free the trapped driver from one of the mangled cabs. The lorry had slammed into the back of another trailer, which was moving slowly due to a planned road closure.
Firefighters brought in cranes, an aerial ladder platform, and specialist hydraulic cutting gear to rescue the driver, but early attempts to free them proved difficult.
Massive Road Closure and Diversions
The collision caused all northbound lanes to be closed. Highways England, Northamptonshire Police, and East Midlands Ambulance Service are all on scene managing the incident.
Traffic is being rerouted from Junction 15A via the ‘Hollow Diamond’ diversion:
- Take the A5123 to Danes Camp Way roundabout.
- Exit onto A5076 Upton Way and continue to Sixfields roundabout.
- Take the first exit onto the A4500 Weedon Road, then continue to M1 Junction 16.
- Rejoin the M1 northbound at J16.
Commuters are urged to allow extra journey time as the clearance and recovery operation is expected to keep the motorway closed for some time.
Chaos Backed Up to Milton Keynes and Beyond
The traffic jam stretches back nearly 20 miles, with delays of up to two hours reported in the affected stretch. Adding to the misery, another multi-vehicle crash at Toddington on the northbound M1 is causing further hold-ups.
Authorities are working hard to clear the mess, but drivers are warned the chaos on this busy stretch shows no sign of ending soon.
