TRAFFIC UPDATE: Motorway gridlock after horror death smash

A MAN has been killed in a horror accident on the M18 near Doncaster after getting out of his car following a collision and trying to cross the carriageway.

Police said the man was mown down by a white Vauxhall Astra estate when he climbed out of his Volkswagen camper van after a collision with an HGV.

The tragedy caused miles of tailbacks between junctions one and three near Wadworth, and total gridlock for motorists trying to make their way to work this morning.

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The motorway was closed by police in both directions for four-and-a-half hours between White Rose Way and Bramley while specialist traffic officers carried out their investigations

The man got out of his stricken vehicle following the crash with the HGV and climbed over the central reservation.

He was trying to cross the southbound carriageway when he was struck by Vauxhall Astra in the fast lane.

The man, who died of multiple injuries, has not yet been named.

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Fire crews from Edlington and Doncaster stations were called to the scene and helped paramedics but the man had already died. Shocked motorists who saw the tragedy pulled over on the motorway, and police closed the carriageway while officers gathered witness statements.

The motorway was re-opened just before 9.30am today, but northbound traffic was still restricted to the hard shoulder around the scene of the accident.

Huge traffic jams built up at both ends of the road closures and affected all major roads in Doncaster and Rotherham.

The A630 between Balby and Rotherham was described as "bumper-to-bumper" during the rush hour and the A631 through Tickhill and Bawtry was much busier than usual as commuters heading to and from Sheffield had to find alternative routes.

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A South Yorkshire Police spokes-man said: "We are continuing inqui-ries after a male driver received fatal injuries in a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M18 after leaving his vehicle following a collision on the northbound carriageway of the motorway."

Witnesses should call South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2970.

Check out Sheffield's commuter traffic on the city's traffic cameras.

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