A DRIVER had a 'miraculous' escape from the crash which closed the M40 for almost 12 hours.
Pictures show a car crashed under a lorry which had hit the central reservation at about 6.30am yesterday.
Four lanes across both carriageways were closed as firefighters scrambled to the scene, alongside Highways England and recovery services.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service today released images of the gnarled wreckage showing the extent of the crash.
It said the car and lorry had collided resulting in the car coming to rest on the barrier in the central reservation, and the lorry on top of it.
Officers said the force of the impact also 'miraculously' tore the car driver's door off freeing him from the wreckage.
READ AGAIN: M40: Traffic clears almost 12 hours after crash near junction 9 for Bicester
Both drivers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Station manager Mike Clarke who attended the scene said: "Both drivers involved in this incident were extremely fortunate not to have suffered from more serious injuries.
"Miraculously, the force of the impact tore the car driver’s door off, meaning that he was freed without mechanical assistance from us.
"Due to where both vehicles came to a stop, it was necessary to reduce the number of running lanes then eventually close one carriageway altogether to recover both vehicles safely.
"Such decisions are never taken lightly, and the County Council’s Emergency Planning team were alerted at the earliest opportunity to put diversions in place."
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