A driver died and two others were seriously injured in a five-lorry pile-up on the A34 last night which brought Oxford traffic to a standstill.

Queues on the A34 after last night's crashThe A34 was closed in both directions as emergency services worked to clear the road where five articulated HGVs were involved in a collision at 5.20pm.

Paramedics declared one of the male lorry drivers - believed to be called Darren - dead at the scene and two casualties, also men, were airlifted to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with leg and stomach injuries. Their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Firefighters from across the county worked to release passengers who were trapped in vehicles. There were another 10 people, not directly involved in the accident, who were treated for minor injuries and shock.

The accident happened on the northbound carriageway, just north of the Pear Tree Interchange, during the busy rush hour.

A stretch of the road remained closed into the night for accident investigators to assess the scene while the southbound carriageway, which was closed to allow emergency vehicles access, was reopened at about 9pm.

Speaking from the scene, Sgt Mike Perie, of Bicester roads policing department, who is leading the investigation into the crash, said a series of lorries had crashed into the back of each other.

"One man, the driver of the fifth lorry, has died, two others are seriously injured, and two are OK," he said.

Sgt Perie said all of the lorries were commercial vehicles, but was unable to say which firms they belonged to.

Thousands of commuters were caught in tailbacks -- on the A34 as well as surrounding roads. Drivers were diverted on to the A44 and through Kidlington.

Motorist Gemma Hammond, 31, of Kidlington, saw some of the chaos ahead of her as she drove north on her way to a friend's house.

She said: "I was near Pear Tree when everyone's brake lights started coming on. I saw these lorries ahead and knew it was serious, it was just utter chaos. I feel so sorry for the family of the driver."

Six months ago, an accident involving three lorries on the southbound A34 caused similar chaos. No-one was killed.