A34 crash near Didcot causes traffic misery for hours
A caravan travelling south on the A34 near Didcot[1] went through the central reservation, according to the AA, at some time before 4pm.
The collision also left a lorry overturned, and a car flipped on its side in the bushes and trees at the side of the road.
Emergency services, including the police and fire service, attended the crash, which took place near to Chilton.
Both southbound lanes were closed, while damage to the dividing barrier meant that lane two of the northern carriageway was also out of action.
Diversions were put in place, and motorists were advised to avoid the area by Oxon Travel, Oxfordshire County[3] Council’s travel account.
By 4.45pm, queues of vehicles already stretched over two-and-a-half miles to the Milton Interchange.
Roderick Hewson, a motorist caught in the traffic, said at the time: “Nothing moving here. Complete standstill for 25 minutes so far. Two fire engines have had to get through the traffic to reach the incident”
Nothing moving here. Complete standstill for 25 minutes so far. Two fire engines have had to get through the traffic to reach the incident.
— Roderick Hewson #FBPE (@RoderickHewson) June 17, 2023[5]One eyewitness added that the incident ‘looked serious’ and that fire engines ‘couldn't get through the traffic’, while another reported that delays were expected to last four hours.
Apparently it’s going to be a 4hr delay and police are turning cars around! pic.twitter.com/ZFnk1gqUNg[6]
— Simon B (@LeRostbiff) June 17, 2023[7]With traffic at a standstill, some motorists left their vehicles and could be seen walking on the dual carriageway.
That included Amelia Morgan, who missed her flight to Spain after getting caught in the traffic.
Completely at a stand still meant to be be getting on a flight In 2h guess I’m not going to Spain 🇪🇸 #pressed #traffic #A34 @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/80uD4tTmao[9][10][11][12][13]
— Amelia Morgan (@m39593249) June 17, 2023[14]She said at the time: “Completely at a standstill. I'm meant to be getting on a flight in two hours. I guess I’m not going to Spain.”
She later added: “Me missing my flight isn’t the main worry as I haven’t heard what the incident was.
"I just hope whoever was involved or their family are doing okay. I just send all my wishes.”
At around 5pm, police began turning vehicles around, but said it was a ‘slow process’.
A Thames Valley Police statement said: "We are currently dealing with a collision on the A34 southbound carriageway between Milton and Chilton which has led to a full closure at Milton Interchange.
"For those waiting in the traffic, we are in the process of turning vehicles around but it is a slow process. Thank you for your patience."
The diversions remained in place overnight while the incident was cleared, and the road was reopened at around 6.40am on Sunday.
This incident is now clear, and the #A34[15] is now OPEN southbound between the #A4130[16] & the #A4185[17]. All lanes are also now open northbound.
There are no significant delays in the area this morning.
Thanks for your patience. pic.twitter.com/PsovJQSNXz[18]
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) June 18, 2023[19]A National Highways East statement said: “There are no significant delays in the area this morning.
“Thanks for your patience.”
References
- ^ Didcot (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Banbury: Motorcyclist arrested for 'dangerous riding' (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ County (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Oxfordshire: Man assaulted at Stoke Row Steam Rally (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ June 17, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/ZFnk1gqUNg (t.co)
- ^ June 17, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ Oxford: Man convicted for 'stealing bank cards' from elderly (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ #pressed (twitter.com)
- ^ #traffic (twitter.com)
- ^ #A34 (twitter.com)
- ^ @TheOxfordMail (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/80uD4tTmao (t.co)
- ^ June 17, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ #A34 (twitter.com)
- ^ #A4130 (twitter.com)
- ^ #A4185 (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/PsovJQSNXz (t.co)
- ^ June 18, 2023 (twitter.com)