TWO lorry drivers involved in acrash on the M40 that forced one of them off the road into a ditch had a lucky escape, the fire service has said.

The vehicles collided on the southbound carriageway just past the A34 Junction 9 near Bicester at about 5am on Saturday morning.

One of the lorries overturned and fell down a bank while the other skidded across the road and hit the central reservation, completely blocking the carriageway.

Several members of public called 999 and four fire engines from Slade, Thame, Wheatley and Kidlington raced to the scene.

Firefighters quickly assessed the situation checking the vehicles were not leaking fuel and that neither of the drivers were injured.

Oxford Mail:

South Central Ambulance Service sent several paramedics who quickly established both drivers escaped without serious injuries.

Two lanes of the road were closed until about 6pm for emergency repairs, causing traffic to build up in the area.

Fire service incident commander Paul Webster said: "It was a lucky escape for the two drivers and the other road users that there were no serious injuries.

"The cause of the accident is being investigated by Thames Valley police but I urge all drivers to pay particular attention when driving long distances , taking regular rest breaks and leave enough stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front."