A 58-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after an eight-vehicle pile-up on the A34.

A 31-year-old woman and child who were seriously injured in the incident remain in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Thirteen people were injured in the pile-up near the Hinksey Hill Interchange last night.

Oxford Mail:

Overnight Highways England carried out extensive work to repair a barrier damaged in the collision but the road was finally re-opened shortly before 6am.

The smash happened at 7.30pm near the Hinksey Hill Interchange, just after the slip road. 

Oxford Mail:

Eight vehicles including one lorry were involved.

The two seriously injured were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital alongside a further three with minor injuries.

Police shut the northbound carriageway while paramedics, five ambulance crews and the fire brigade dealt with the crash site which caused long delays for several hours.

Oxford Mail:

One witness said a pregnant woman needed to be cut free from her vehicle.

It is understood one lorry came off the carriageway and cars traversed the embankment, smashing into each other before coming to a halt.

South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman Michelle Archer said seven people were treated at the roadside.

The air ambulance was called and its crew members treated patients at the scene and some of the doctors travelled with them to the hospital in land ambulances. 

The smash comes just two weeks after Tracy Houghton, her sons Ethan, 13, Josh, 11, and her partner’s 11-year-old daughter Amiee Goldsmith, were killed in a horrific eight-vehicle crash on the A34, near East Ilsley.

Oxford Mail:

Thames Valley Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd said the force was called at about 7.30pm, adding: "The collision involved a number of vehicles and we are working to investigate the circumstances.

"We would ask anyone with information about this road traffic collision to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting the reference 1440 25/08/2016."

Drivers are facing severe delays and queuing traffic on the A34 Northbound.

Sam Wise, from Greater Leys, was driving towards Abingdon at about 8.15pm when he saw aftermath of the crash.

The 25-year-old said: “It was pretty shocking. Surely now they need to sort out the A34. It’s not safe and something needs to be done."

Oxford Mail:

Holly Sunter, from Huddersfield, passed the "horrible" crash and tweeted to share her thoughts with all involved.

People have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations about the lack of safety for motorists driving on the road.