A father has died two days after being involved in a crash on the A1(M). A Ford Focus driven by Gareth Johns, 39, of Peartree Way, Stevenage, hit the central reservation shortly after 7am last Thursday as it headed north. The vehicle then swerved off the

A father has died two days after being involved in a crash on the A1(M).

A Ford Focus driven by Gareth Johns, 39, of Peartree Way, Stevenage, hit the central reservation shortly after 7am last Thursday as it headed north.

The vehicle then swerved off the motorway, struck a tree and ended up in a field half a mile south of junction 9.

Police say the impact of the car hitting the central reservation forced the engine out of the vehicle. It ended up several yards away in the central lane of the southbound carriageway.

The incident caused traffic chaos both north and south on the motorway during the rush hour period with the northbound carriageway between junctions 7 and 9 closed for over three hours and the southbound stretch between junctions 9 and 7 closed for over an hour.

Mr Johns was taken to Lister Hospital where he died on Saturday.

Police are now appealing for witnesses who might have either seen the incident or Mr Johns driving his black Ford Focus on the A1(M).

Insp Jim Grassie, from the area road policing unit, said: "We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have been travelling along this part of the A1(M) who may have witnessed the incident.

"I would urge anyone who may have seen the Ford Focus prior to the collision or who may have any information which may help our investigation to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should contact Insp Grassie on 01923 472382 or Hertfordshire Consta-bulary's non-emergency number 0845 3300222.

An inquest into Mr Johns' death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday when the cause of death was given as head injuries.