DRIVERS with dash cams and other witnesses have been urged to come forward after a man was hit and killed by an ambulance near Oxford.

The crash happened at around 3.20am yesterday on the A34 northbound carriageway between the junctions for Pear Tree and Islip, just north of the city.

The 35-year-old pedestrian died at the scene and his next-of-kin have been made aware and are being supported by specialist officers.

Also read: Man dies after ambulance crashed into pedestrian on A34

Police say the man is believed to have walked from Oxford city centre in the early hours of the morning, but need dash cam footage to help them work out what happened when the ambulance struck the man.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) released a statement saying the ambulance was not travelling to an emergency at the time of the crash.

Mark Ainsworth, director of operations at SCAS, said: "On behalf of South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the pedestrian who sadly died following a collision with one of our ambulances on the A34 early this morning.

Oxford Mail:

"The ambulance was not travelling under emergency driving conditions at the time. The trust and the ambulance crew are assisting Thames Valley Police with its investigation into the collision.

"It is normal practice in such circumstances for the driver of the vehicle to be suspended from driving duties whilst any external and internal investigations are undertaken."

Oxford came to a halt as the A34 was closed to northbound traffic from 3.45am until around midday between Hinksey Hill Interchange and Islip, resulting in huge queues stretching for miles around the city.

Also read: SCAS release statement saying the ambulance was not travelling under emergency conditions

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service sent vehicles from Kidlington and Oxford for 'scene safety' in order to secure the road closure.

Meanwhile drivers had to take a diversion route enforced by Highways England by leaving the A34 at Hinksey Hill, before eventually joining the M40 northbound.

The closure caused lengthy delays on surrounding roads including queues on the A420 into Oxford stretching back to Cumnor and on the A34 from Hinksey south to Milton.

Oxford Mail:

Drivers were stuck for hours in traffic as they tried to make their way to work.

One driver described the roads as 'carnage'. Dougie Beecher tweeted: "It took me about two hours to get to Witney from the Hinksey Hill interchange via Wooton and Cumnor. It’s carnage out there. Queues are just merging into one vast queue."

Another commuter, Sarah Walls, said: "It has taken me one hour and 45 minutes to travel from Wootton to Redbridge Park and Ride. It’s mayhem on the roads today, the route is only four miles from start to finish."

Motorists driving southbound saw the battered ambulance that hit the man as they drove past the scene of the crash.

Also read: A34 carnage following serious crash

The force wants anybody who might have seen the 35-year-old walking from the city centre towards the Peartree Interchange to come forward.

Investigating officer Rob Turpin, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Bicester Police Station, said: "This was a tragic incident where a 35-year-old man has died after being in a collision with an ambulance.

"I am now appealing for witnesses to this incident to assist with my investigation.

Oxford Mail:

"I would appeal for anyone who may have seen this pedestrian, a 35-year-old man, in the northbound carriageway of the A34 at a time prior to the collision taking place.

"I would also like to ask that any motorists who have dash-cams in their cars and were driving near the area at this time review their footage to see if there is anything significant on there.

"It is believed that the man walked from Oxford city centre towards the Peartree interchange, before entering the northbound carriageway."

Anybody who can help police should call 101 quoting 43190372771.