A DRIVER died in a horrific rush-hour crash that caused chaos on Oxford roads.

The man was killed instantly when his car went out of control and flipped across the central reservation of the A34 near the Pear Tree roundabout, smashing into an oncoming car and a truck.

Wreckage was dragged more than 50 yards along the road before the vehicles caught fire.

Police closed the bypass at Pear Tree, Botley and Hinksey Hill interchanges, diverting traffic through the centre of Oxford.

Huge tailbacks built up on the A34 itself and on roads through the city as dozens of firefighters and police officers cleared up.

The southbound carriageway was reopened at 10.45am - more than two hours after the accident - but northbound traffic was still being diverted as accident investigators examined the wreckage.

Details of the three motorists involved have not been released.

The dead man, believed to be in his 20s, was driving south when the accident happened.

The truck driver suffered spinal injuries and was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The driver of the car escaped unhurt.

Ambulance area commander David Banham told the Oxford Mail: "It ranks as one of the most serious incidents I have ever seen.

"He went airborne after hitting the central reservation and hit the roof of the first car. The car was actually flying above the first car and clipped the roof, and then hit the truck."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "It happened in a very busy place at a very busy time of day. The A34 is a notoriously busy road and when a serious incident happens it causes widespread chaos."

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