Several people have been injured in a multi vehicle collision on the M1 northbound this morning.
Six cars and one motorbike were involved in the collision that caused a full closure of the northbound M1, between junctions 9 and 13.
Police were called to the collision, close to junction 12, shortly after 5.30am.
One lane is now open but the others remain closed while officers investigate.
Five ambulances, two paramedic officers and a hazardous area response team attended the scene and treated six casualties, a number of them were taken to the Luton and Dunstable hospital.
A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance service said: “We took six people to the Luton and Dunstable hospital, they were seriously injured and three were elderly people.”
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue service said: “Five fire crews and one rescue vehicle attended the scene and officers released three men and one two women that were trapped in vehicles.”
Motorists are being diverted from junction 9 and the motorway reopens at junction 13.
There are considerable delays in the area and it is expected to be shut until later this afternoon, current delays are about two hours.
Road users should follow the Hollow Circle symbol, follow the A505, Park Road north and A5120.
On Twitter, Ste Collins (@stecollins7) said: “Awful crash on the M1 northbound, you know it’s bad when they are turning cars round and sending them back south but on the northbound side.”
Phoebe Mills (@phoebemills1) said on Twitter: “It just took me 3hours 10 to get from Luton to Dunstable.. Oh how I love the m1.”
The M1 southbound is open as usual.