Car left facing the wrong way after crash on M40 near High Wycombe

A car was left facing the wrong way against the central reservation on the M40 near High Wycombe on Saturday afternoon, 24 October. Traffic queued past the scene while the road was cleared.

Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows the car with heavy damage to its front end, sitting against the central barrier and facing oncoming traffic. It appears to have spun round before coming to a stop.

The outside lane was coned off while National Highways traffic officers and a road crew cleared debris from the carriageway. A traffic officer's vehicle can be seen in the footage with its matrix sign lit, directing drivers away from the closed lane.

Heavy rain and spray

It was raining heavily at the time. Footage shows standing water and spray across the motorway, with drivers slowing down as they passed the scene.

It is not known how many vehicles were involved or whether anyone was hurt. Neither the police nor National Highways had made a public statement about the collision, and it is not known what caused it.

This stretch of the M40 is covered by Thames Valley Police, which deals with collisions on motorways in Buckinghamshire. Anyone who saw what happened can contact the force on 101, or call 999 in an emergency.

A key route out of West London

The M40 starts at Junction 1 near Uxbridge and runs about 89 miles to Birmingham. It passes High Wycombe at Junctions 3 and 4 and is one of the main routes between West London, the Chilterns and Oxford. Even a single lane closure on this section can cause long queues, especially at weekends.

Earlier this year there was another serious crash on the same part of the motorway. In February, Thames Valley Police appealed for witnesses after a collision near High Wycombe involving a motorcycle and two cars. The force later confirmed that the victim had died.

Driving in wet weather

National Highways advises drivers to slow down in heavy rain, to leave at least twice the usual gap to the vehicle in front and to use dipped headlights when visibility is poor. Standing water can cause aquaplaning. If the steering feels light, drivers should ease off the accelerator gently and avoid braking hard.

Drivers who break down or are involved in a collision on a motorway should, if it is safe, get out on the side away from traffic, move behind the barrier and call 999 or National Highways on 0300 123 5000. Live traffic information for England's motorways is on the National Highways website.