A PRISONER was taken to hospital after a police van overturned on the A1(M) last night (Monday).

Police were taking the 44-year-old man from Letchworth GC to Stevenage Police Station when the crash occurred on the southbound slip road of of junction 9 for Letchworth Gate.

Emergency services were called at about 5.25pm after reports that the van collided with the embankment and ended up on its side, with the road closed as a result.

The prisoner lost consciousness and was treated at the scene before being taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage. His condition has been described as stable. No police officers were injured in the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched and the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.