A FATAL road accident closed a motorway for 16 hours yesterday causing chaos for motorists.

One man was declared dead at the scene of the multi-vehicle pile-up on the A1(M) northbound, just north of Wetherby, in West Yorkshire.

Five other people were injured.

At least six vehicles were involved in the accident, which happened at about 9.40pm on Monday night.

Tony Lidgate, spokesman for North Yorkshire Police, said: "It would seem the situation started when a car lost control, crashed and was hit by other vehicles.

"This is the car that was being driven by the man who died. There were no other occupants.

"Immediately afterwards, there were other collisions among vehicles trying to avoid the wreckage.

"Whether you count it as one big accident, or several smaller ones, is one of the things the road policing officers are trying to disentangle.

"Pictures, measurements and large amounts of technical detail have been taken down. Statements will be taken from witnesses and all this information will be pulled together to make a picture of what happened.

"It's going to be a very hard job - made all more difficult because this is one of the region's main highways."

The northbound carriageway remained closed until about 2.40pm yesterday afternoon while accident investigators worked at the scene.

One lane of the southbound carriageway was also closed to make conditions safer for emergency workers.

Northbound traffic was diverted along the A168 and back on to the A1 at Allerton Park.

Tailbacks south of the accident stretched several miles.

Motorists were criticised for ignoring diversions and finding other routes around the accident.

Delays and congestion were reported on the A64 and A59.

There were also reports of heavy traffic on the A19 and minor roads around Thirsk and Northallerton.

Firefighters rushed to the scene from Tadcaster, Knaresborough and Wetherby.

Crews administered oxygen to one motorist before paramedics arrived.

A spokesman for Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: "We received the call to a multiple vehicle collision at 9.41pm.

"Three ambulances attended. There was one fatality. Five people, including one walking wounded, were taken to Harrogate District Hospital."

Police said their injuries were not life-threatening.

The dead man, who has not yet been identified, is understood to be from outside the region.

Witnesses are asked to call police on (01423) 539326.