HUNDREDS of people were stuck in a traffic jam on the M11 today after a man tragically died in a horror smash.
Drivers were urged to stay away after the fatal collision closed both carriageways of the busy motorway.
The man was driving a small vehicle transporter, which was carrying a white van, when the crash took place just after 10am this morning.
He became trapped after the transporter overturned between Junction 8 Bishop’s Stortford and Junction 9 for Newmarket.
Tragically he couldn’t be saved and was declared dead at the scene shortly after.
Paramedics and an air ambulance attended the collision, along with firefighters and police.
Essex Police said: “Paramedics tended to the man, but sadly he died at the scene.
“The northbound side of the M11 reopened earlier, but the southbound side is expected to remain closed for a number of hours.
“This is while forensic examination work is carried out and a diesel spill is cleared.”
A man has sadly died following a collision on the M11 earlier today.
Essex Police
The force had said earlier: “We are working hard with our partners to turn around traffic trapped in tailbacks as fast as possible and to get bottled water to drivers.
“We appreciate it is very hot and many people have been stuck for several hours.
“We are working hard to get drivers to their destinations safely and ask people to be patient and wait until instructed by police to turn around.
“Do not put other people at risk by turning around without instruction or by driving on the hard shoulder and blocking access for emergency vehicles.”
Hundreds were stuck in tailbacks in the scorching heat with some holidaymakers walking to nearby Stansted airport so they don’t miss flights.
Police are now working to give drivers bottled water as they warned the southbound carriageway will be closed for “several hours”.
One lane of the northbound carriageway has reopened but there are still delays.
Cops have warned people they will be “robustly dealt with” if they attempt to skip the queues by turning round or driving on the hard shoulder.
Anyone who saw the collision or who has dash cam footage is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on CollisionAppeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm or call 101.
The crash comes just days after a fire sparked traffic chaos on the same stretch of motorway near Stansted when a truck carrying aerosol cans exploded.
