Discovery of a body results in closure of M1

THE body of a woman was found on the M1 on Thursday morning (January 18).

The discovery led to the southbound carriageway near Junction 22 being closed for over eight hours. Police responded at about 5am to reports of a body in the road. East Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene.

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was declared dead at the scene.

The discovery prompted a full closure of the southbound carriageway of the M1 between Junction 22, at Markfield, and 21a, at Leicester.

Traffic tailbacks of about three miles built up. There was also congestion northbound as drivers slowed while passing the scene.

National Highways urged drivers to avoid the area while the incident was dealt with, with traffic diverted on to the A50 instead, which also became heavily congested.

The carriageway reopened at about 1.20pm.

In a statement, police said they believed the woman was the person involved in an incident along the same stretch of the M1 early on Wednesday.

She was found on the wrong side of the bridge over the same carriageway, but came down from the bridge and was taken by officers to hospital for assessment. Investigations into the woman’s death are continuing. Police have called on anyone who saw the woman prior to her death to speak to them as soon as possible. Anyone with information about the incident should call the force on 101, quoting incident number 100 of January 18 or via:

The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was declared dead at the scene