There was “mayhem” on the M1 was yesterday (October 26) following a crash involving four cars.

One woman was taken to hospital after being released from her car by London Fire crews.

The incident, which occurred between junctions three and four southbound around 4pm, led to traffic delays lasting hours for drivers.

READ MORE: Accident causing delays on M1 southbound, traffic queuing between junctions 2 and 4, Edgware

Closures were put in place between junction four A41, Edgware Way, and junction two A41 Watford Way/A1 Great North Way (Fiveways Corner), leading to queues.

Newsquest sport reporter Shona Duthie and content editor George Thorpe were both stuck in the traffic on their ways home from work.

Miss Duthie said: “People started using the hard shoulder which caused more mayhem as a Green Flag van was trying to get down – a few cars had broken down as well and were on the hard shoulder.

“I got off the motorway around about 8pm after they reopened it following the crash – saw there was four vehicles on the side with a police car and tow away truck as well as the green flag van I had saw before.”

Shona was on the motorway for about two and a half hours, getting home at 8.15pm after leaving work at 5.10pm.

Mr Thorpe joined the motorway at junction five, Watford, around 6.30pm but only made it to junction four by 8.20pm.

He said: “I was on my way to korfball training, but ended up having to miss it because it took so long to get through the traffic.

“Everything was going at a snail’s pace, the M1 was gridlocked.

“It was very annoying, but there wasn’t a lot anyone could do and I think everyone on the road kind of accepted it.”

The incident was over by 5.20pm for the fire brigade, though traffic remained backed up through the evening.