Police said part of the M40 has reopened after the Fire Service declared the scene of a fatal crash safe.

The M40 at junction 9 northbound was reopened just after 1pm. One lane will remain closed past the scene but the other two will remain open.

Police said the closures placed on the southbound M40 between junctions 10 and 11 will remain in place until at least 3pm to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and recovery of the vehicles.

The collision occurred at about 5.43am, between junctions 10 and 9 on the southbound carriageway of the M40 and involved two articulated lorries and a van. The driver of one of the lorries has died and two other drivers are suffering shock but have not required hospital treatment.

Police officers worked closely with the Fire Service who had to assess oxy-acetylene cylinders that may have become unstable on one of the vehicles.

Police said the primary concern was public safety and the safety of the emergency services working at the scene. The cylinders have been removed.

Drivers who need to travel southbound between junctions 10 and 9 are being urged to take alternative routes.

A police spokesman said: "We are liaising closely with the Highways Agency to publicise the following diversions for motorists:

Drivers coming southbound should come off at junction 11 on the M40, continue on to the A422 to Brackley then take the A43 southbound, on to the B430 and follow to Western on the Green, join the A34 and then rejoin the M40 at junction 9 to continue their journey.

The northbound M40 is now reopen but drivers who wish to avoid it should come off at junction 9 on the M40, join the A34 soundbound and then take the B430 at Western on the Green, join the A43 to Brackley and continue to the A422 to Banbury and then rejoin the M40 to continue with your journey at junction 11 of the M40.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to contact Sgt Pete Jell at Bicester Roads Policing department via 0845 8 505 505.