Scooter rider dead and woman hurt in M1 crash

Part of the M1 in Hertfordshire was closed for several hours following the crash on Wednesday afternoon

A scooter rider has died and a passenger has been seriously hurt following a crash with the central reservation of the M1.

Hertfordshire Police said "for reasons unknown" a grey Yamaha crashed near the northbound turning for junction eight at Hemel Hempstead, which shut part of the road from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.

A man, in his 40s, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died. A pillion passenger, a woman in her 40s, remains in hospital for treatment.

Anyone with dashcam footage of the crash, which happened at about 15:50 BST, or any other information has been asked to contact police.

Sgt Ben Heath said the force's thoughts were "with the man's loved ones at this difficult time".

"We are continuing to investigate how this collision occurred, and as part of our ongoing enquiries into what happened, I am re-appealing to anyone who either witnessed the collision or was driving in the area at the time of the incident to please contact me."