Two lanes were closed westbound between Junction 3 and 4 and one lane was shut on the eastbound carriageway following three separate incidents - all of which happened within less than an hour.

One woman was airlifted to hospital after the van she was travelling in crashed through a fence, a car set on fire and a four car pile-up caused chaos for holidaymakers making their way home.

Firefighters from Wesham fire station were called to Junction 3 westbound when a car set on fire at around 2.50pm.

Crew manager James Plant said: "The driver noticed smoke coming through the bonnet so pulled up onto the hard shoulder.
"It had created quite a lot of smoke down the motorway. The flames were coming out of the front of the car but the driver was ok."

No sooner had they finished putting the fire out than they were called to an accident on the other side of the carriageway when a transit van veered off onto the grass verge and through a fence.

Firefighters from South Shore fire station also attended the scene at around 3.20pm to free two people from the vehicle.

Air ambulance were also called and airlifted a female passenger to hospital with "severe chest injuries".

Crew manager James Plant added: "The van had gone through a fence and onto its side. Two people were trapped and had to be cut free. The gentleman wasn't too bad but the lady had quite severe injuries to the chest and was air lifted to hospital."

Minutes later there was a four car pile-up just a few hundred yards down the wesbound carriageway.

The cars collided at around 3.40pm. Firefighters gave four people oxygen therapy while waiting for the ambulance service to arrive.

As holidaymakers tried to make their way home, The Highway Agency issued a warning of long delays and advised travellers to find an alternative route.