THREE people were injured in a five-vehicle collision on the M1 motorway last night (Thursday) and police are appealing for witnesses. The accident happened at around 11.30pm at Junction 9 on the southbound carriageway when a black Mercedes was in collisi

THREE people were injured in a five-vehicle collision on the M1 motorway last night (Thursday) and police are appealing for witnesses.

The accident happened at around 11.30pm at Junction 9 on the southbound carriageway when a black Mercedes was in collision with a white Mazda which as a result collided with two lorries and a white Ford Transit van.

Firefighters were called to the scene and cut free a 38-year-old male driver and 34-year-old female trapped in the Mazda. They were taken to Watford General Hospital where they are currently being treated for their injuries.

The man driving the Mercedes, a 56-year-old from London, was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital for treatment but he was later released. Police arrested him on suspicion of dangerous driving and bailed him until December 12.

The drivers of the lorries and the van were uninjured in the accident.

The road was closed until about 4am this morning while the emergency services worked at the scene. Pc Simon Parrott, from area road policing, said: "This was a nasty collision where three people were injured, although thankfully their injuries were not life threatening."

He appealed for any witnesses to come forward before adding: "We want to build a picture of how the collision happened and how the occupants of the vehicles were driving at the time."

Anyone with information on the incident should ring PC Parrott on 0845 33 00 222.