TRAFFIC is beginning to flow again as part of the A14 has now re-opened following a lorry crash.

TRAFFIC is beginning to flow again as the A14 westbound carriageway has now re-opened.

Motorists faced major tailbacks today after a lorry jack-knifed at about 11am. Both the eastbound and westbound carriageways were closed for several hours between the Rowley Mile Services junction and the Exning junction, which causes queues as far back as Bury St Edmunds.

A diversion through Newmarket for those travelling along the eastbound carriageway is still in operation.

It is believed the lorry had tyre blow-out on the eastbound carriageway and crashed into the central reservation.

Two fire crews from Cambridge and two crews from Newmarket attended the scene to find a lorry and its trailer on its side following a collision with a car.

Two men trapped in the lorry cab had to be rescued by firefighters. One person from the lorry and one from the car were treated at the scene by East of England Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries. The driver of the lorry was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital by air ambulance and is suffering from life threatening or life changing injuries.

The tailbacks, thought to have stretched 15 miles, caused problems for the ambulance crews getting to the scene so the air ambulance was deployed.

A large amount of oil was also spilling onto the carriageway and contractors were called to help clear it up. Emergency services are still at the scene to assist with the operation.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “Officers from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire have been working together right across the board. “We have been making sure the diversions are in place and have been assessing the situation constantly.

“We will need to investigate the incident thoroughly. We are also examining the scene to make it safe. It is a big job and we need to take time to make sure it is safe before we re-open the road fully. We appreciate everyone's patience.

“It looks as though a crane will be needed later to put the lorry right.”

A police helicopter was deployed earlier today to assess the traffic situation and take aerial photographs to assist the investigation.