A lorry driver - a man in his 60s - was taken to hospital by air ambulance following a serious collision on the A42 north of Ashby.

Traffic was halted in both directions following the incident, causing delays of up to 90 minutes.

The road was closed between Junction 14 at Tonge and the M1 J23A junction for East Midlands Airport.

But Leicestershire Police said they were preventing traffic joining the carriageway at Flagstaff Island in Ashby.

The road was re-opened this afternoon.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire said: "Police were called shortly after 11am today (Monday, December 18) to a collision on the northbound carriageway of the A42 near Ashby.

An air ambulance was called to the incident. Photo: Photo © Bobbrooky | Dreamstime.com

"The collision involved two HGV lorries. One of the lorries subsequently collided with the central reservation.

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"Fire and ambulance service were also in attendance and the air ambulance also landed at the scene.

"A driver of one of the lorries was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

"He is believed to have suffered possible life changing injuries.

"The driver of the other vehicle was not injured."

PC Liam Streets, from the force's Road Policing Team, said: "We would like to the thank the members of the public who made us aware of this incident and who stopped at the scene to offer assistance.

"If you saw the collision but have not yet spoken to police or were driving past and have captured it on your dash cam, please make contact."

Police are appealing for anyone with information or dash cam footage of the incident to report online HERE or alternatively call 101, quoting incident number 216.