Updated: A1 reopened after serious two-vehicle crash at Water Newton south of Stamford

The A1 was reopened this afternoon (Thursday) after a dramatic two-vehicle rush-hour crash south of Stamford sparked chaos.

A van driver was seriously injured after colliding with a lorry on the northbound carriageway of the A1 at Water Newton at about 6am.

The carriageway was closed for more than six hours as police and ambulances dashed to the scene.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said the van driver suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Peterborough City Hospital.

The lorry driver is believed to have escaped unhurt.

The van driver was carrying two canisters of hazardous oxy-acetylene, which is used in cutting equipment, police said.

Highways England tweeted this afternoon: "Collision investigation is complete and the vehicles have been recovered following a serious collision A1 Cambridgeshire northbound btwn J17 Chesterton Peterborough and A47 Wansford.

"The road is now open, many thanks to @CambsCops for attending this."

Thousands of motorists were caught up in the chaos on the busy gridlocked route after the smash.

The A1 was closed between junction 17 for Chesterton on the A1 and the A47 at Wansford.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We were called at 6am this morning (October 25) to reports of a collision on the A1 northbound at Water Newton.

"The collision involved a HGV and a Volkswagen Transporter van.

"The driver of the van suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries."