A 58-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after an eight-vehicle pile-up on the A34.
A 31-year-old woman and child who were seriously injured in the incident remain in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Thirteen people were injured in the pile-up near the Hinksey Hill Interchange last night.
Overnight Highways England carried out extensive work to repair a barrier damaged in the collision but the road was finally re-opened shortly before 6am.
The smash happened at 7.30pm near the Hinksey Hill Interchange, just after the slip road.
Eight vehicles including one lorry were involved.
The two seriously injured were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital alongside a further three with minor injuries.
Police shut the northbound carriageway while paramedics, five ambulance crews and the fire brigade dealt with the crash site which caused long delays for several hours.
One witness said a pregnant woman needed to be cut free from her vehicle.
It is understood one lorry came off the carriageway and cars traversed the embankment, smashing into each other before coming to a halt.
South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman Michelle Archer said seven people were treated at the roadside.
The air ambulance was called and its crew members treated patients at the scene and some of the doctors travelled with them to the hospital in land ambulances.
The smash comes just two weeks after Tracy Houghton, her sons Ethan, 13, Josh, 11, and her partner’s 11-year-old daughter Amiee Goldsmith, were killed in a horrific eight-vehicle crash on the A34, near East Ilsley.
#Oxfordshire, #A34 (N) #HinkseyHill junction #Oxford now open to traffic after overnight collision barrier repair work. No approach delays
— Highways England (@HighwaysSEAST) August 26, 2016
Thames Valley Police spokesman Gareth Ford-Lloyd said the force was called at about 7.30pm, adding: "The collision involved a number of vehicles and we are working to investigate the circumstances.
"We would ask anyone with information about this road traffic collision to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting the reference 1440 25/08/2016."
2 miles of slow traffic on the #A34 n/b approaching #HinkseyHill. The #A423 junc is closed. Use the slip rd's to transit around the accident
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) August 25, 2016
Drivers are facing severe delays and queuing traffic on the A34 Northbound.
A34 N/B at #Hinksey hill closed due to serious RTC. Number of vehicles involved. Traffic diversion at Abingdon South. Investigation ongoing.
— TVP Roads Policing (@tvprp) August 25, 2016
Sam Wise, from Greater Leys, was driving towards Abingdon at about 8.15pm when he saw aftermath of the crash.
The 25-year-old said: “It was pretty shocking. Surely now they need to sort out the A34. It’s not safe and something needs to be done."
Holly Sunter, from Huddersfield, passed the "horrible" crash and tweeted to share her thoughts with all involved.
Just passed this. 😔 They seemed to be taking cars off up the slip road in the wrong direction. Big queue. #A34 https://t.co/LbNx2xo3jf
— Holly Sunter (@HollySunter) August 25, 2016
People have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations about the lack of safety for motorists driving on the road.
Yet another big shunt on the #A34. This road needs serious attention from Govt and quick. It is becoming a death trap. Hope all are ok.
— Ed Byard (@oxfordteddy) August 25, 2016
I'll repeat, make the #a34 safer, NOW! Another pile up. What tomorrow? @HighwayAgency why is nothing being done to improve this road?
— Steve Whiting (@S_Whiting) August 25, 2016
@HighwaysEAST come on guys the whole of the #a34 need to be 50mph with average speed cameras. It's a death trap accidents every day!
— family and music. (@daveboy79) August 25, 2016
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