Driver arrested after serious A1 lorry crash

A man has been arrested after two lorries caught fire when they crashed on the A1 near Peterborough.

Cambridgeshire Police was called to the northbound carriageway at Stibbington at about 02:50 BST after two Scania HGVs collided.

Police said a 50-year-old man from Great Barr, Birmingham, was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and had since been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while over the drug-drive limit and possession of cannabis.

A 43-year-old man from Saltburn, Cleveland, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

The road has been shut northbound from junction 17 for the A605/A1139 to the A47 at Wansford, and would be likely to stay closed for the rest of the day due to road repairs taking place, police said.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who has dash cam footage to get in touch.

Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade called it a "significant incident", with multiple fire, ambulance and police officers attending.

A nearby resident told the BBC she was "woken by an explosion which sounded like a bomb".

Police said there were significant tailbacks near junction 17, with the A15 from Hampton towards the A1 also heavily congested.

Diversions have been put in place via the A1139, the A1260 Nene Parkway and the A47. The southbound A1 has been reduced to one lane near the scene.

Motorists have been asked to find alternative routes where possible.

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