A 70-year-old woman has died in the serious crash in the early hours of this morning on the A1(M) causing the road to close and reports of four-miles of congestion.

The incident happened near Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, at around 2.20am this morning and involved a blue Ford Fiesta and a grey Ford Puma and a black Land Rover Defender.

Read more: Stretch of A1(M) shut after serious crash - reports of four miles of congestion

Police say the passenger of the Land Rover, a woman in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the land rover, a man in his 70s, was taken to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries.

A 22-year-old man from Malton has been arrested, according to police, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and drug driving and he remains in custody at this time.

This morning police said emergency services were called to the scene after a serious crash on the southbound carriageway.

Reports from the AA suggested one of the cars overturned and came to rest in a field.

Police are looking for anyone who witnessed the collision, has any Dashcam footage, or who was travelling in the area at the time is asked to save and preserve any footage and contact police.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire police said: “People are asked to Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to PC1073 Sarah Burton or email Sarah.burton@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Please quote reference number 12210223751 when passing on any information.”

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