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The southbound carriageway of the M1 in West Yorkshire has reopened after it was shut following a "serious incident" involving "multiple vehicles".

It was the third major crash on the motorway in 24 hours.

West Yorkshire Police said the latest incident happened on a stretch between junction 40 and junction 39 near Wakefield.

A woman died in a collision 140 miles further south in Bedfordshire late on Christmas Eve.

A diversion route was put place following the latest incident in West Yorkshire and Highways England had issued instructions for drivers planning to travel in the area.

The agency said the road was "now fully open again".

The Bedfordshire crash happened between Aylesbury and Flitwick on the northbound carriageway at about 11.15pm, and involved a number of vehicles.

Another person suffered minor injuries, police said. The woman who died has not been named.

A stretch of the motorway was closed from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning after the crash near junction 12.

Bedfordshire Police attended the incident along with members of the ambulance service and fire brigade.

Police are asking witnesses or anyone with information about the crash to call 101 and quote Operation Granborough.

There was also an accident on the southbound carriageway in Hertfordshire, between Luton Airport and Dunstable.

The M1 fully reopened in both directions before 9am on Christmas Day.