POLICE are investigating after an horrific accident in which a 25-year-old woman died as she staggered from her car following a crash.

The woman, who has yet to be positively identified, was killed instantly when she was hit by two articulated lorries on the A1 near Darlington.

Shaken drivers reported seeing the body in the middle of the busy motorway being hit repeated by vehicles that were unable to swerve in time.

Police believe that the victim was struck by at least two lorries and two cars after the collision, on the southbound carriageway.

After the accident, at 10.40pm on Friday, south of junction 58, the road was closed for seven hours as investigators carried out inquiries.

The woman is believed to be from Surrey, but police have not yet released her name.

In the initial accident, she is thought to have lost control after hitting the central reservation in her gold Fiat Punto.

A wheel from her car was hurled into the northbound carriageway and hit two cars, causing damage to the vehicles but no one was hurt.

The Punto then swerved across the road and came to rest on the hard shoulder.

It is thought the woman staggered out of the car and was hit by passing traffic.

A police helicopter was scrambled after calls to the emergency services about a body in the road.

Sergeant Graham Charman, of Darlington police, said: "The helicopter shone its lights on to the motorway so that the body could be identified.

"It was looking for the body as well other people who may have been involved. It seems that she had had an accident and appears to have got out of the car and got hit.

He added: "Vehicles were driving over the body.

At 11.45pm, North Yorkshire Police received a call from a distressed motorist who said he had hit the woman and wanted to report the accident.

Sgt Charman said: "A lot of police vehicles were in attendance to close the road and seal off the scene.

The motorway was closed until 5am on Saturday and drivers were diverted through Darlington.

An inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned, but meanwhile police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the accident unit on 0191-375 2159.