A MAN has died after the car he was driving crashed into a barrier on the A1(M) this afternoon (Sunday).

Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway just before junction 7 for Stevenage at about 1.50pm after a black Range Rover collided with a barrier on the hard shoulder.

The car then left the motorway, crashing into trees.

The driver, a 74-year-old man from London, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both lanes of the motorway were shut but fully reopened just before 5.30pm.

Police are now urging witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Sergeant Richard Cruse from the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this very difficult time.

“We are investigating the circumstance of this collision and I believe there would have been a number of people on the motorway who saw the collision take place.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the Collision Investigation Unit via the non-emergency number, 101.”

Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson has criticised motorists passing the crash for taking pictures.

He said: “Unfortunately whilst we were dealing with this incident, passengers in a few of the cars passing the scene were seen taking photographs via mobile phones by our crews.

“Sadly this does occur whilst emergency services are at the scene of an incident and I find this very disrespectful for the patient and his family involved.”