M1 body had been '˜travelled over several times' according to sergeant at the scene

At around 3am police were called to reports of a body on the northbound carriageway of the M1 and an investigation has been launched.

The busy stretch of the motorway is likely to stay shut throughout the morning, causing major delays on diversion routes around the county.

Sergeant Tony Hopkins, part of the investigating team, said the force now needs help to establish what happened.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, he said the force received calls at around 3am:

He said: “We got several reports from drivers heading northbound saying there was a body in the road.

“Unfortunately this body had been travelled over by several vehicles, so we do have quite a scene at the moment.”

The body is believed to have been discovered close to Watford Gap services in between junction 17 and 18. Protective screens have been placed around the area.

The motorway is closed between junction 16 and 18 on the northbound side, but delays are being experienced on the southbound side too.

Sgt Hopkins has called for drivers to remain patient with the police crews while the investigations take place.

He said; “We need to find out who this person was and why they were on the M1.

“Has someone given a lift to someone they didn’t know?

“We need to establish the vehicle that first collided with him.

“We just need to work out what brought the man to this position in the first place.”

Drivers travelling in and around the M1 this morning can view the Chron’s live travel updates here

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