Woman suffers life-threatening injuries in crash

The A1(M) has been closed in both directions

A woman has suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash which left a major road connecting West and North Yorkshire blocked in both directions.

The collision took place on the A1(M) between junction 45 near Boston Spa and junction 46 near Wetherby just after 10:00 BST, West Yorkshire Police said.

The force said a black Mercedes C250 hit a stationary black Volvo XC60 on the hard shoulder, with the Volvo driver, a woman in her 50s, airlifted to hospital.

The male driver of the Mercedes was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, police said.

The road was initially closed in both directions but one lane has now re-opened on the southbound carriageway. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

In an update issued just before 14:00, National Highways said there were delays of up to 70 minutes on the northbound carriageway.

"A police investigation is currently taking place and is expected to take several further hours," a spokesperson said.

Officers investigating the collision have appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant dash cam footage to get in touch.

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