A WOMAN was killed on the M40 after she stopped on the hard shoulder.

At 4.05am this morning on Sunday, January 21, near to junction 6 in Oxfordshire, a lorry crashed with a pedestrian in the carriageway of the motorway.

The collision caused fatal injuries and the woman, aged in her 40s, died at the scene.

Police said the woman was killed when she got out of her car having stopped on the hard shoulder.

Investigating officer Sergeant James Mathews of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident where a woman who had got out of her car, having stopped on the hard shoulder, was involved in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the southbound carriageway.

“My thoughts and the thoughts of all of us at Thames Valley Police are with the family of the woman who has died. They are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers."

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage to help their investigation.

No arrests have been made.

Sgt Mathews added: “I am appealing to anybody who was driving on that stretch of the M40 this morning and who witnessed this incident, to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police.

“I would also urge any drivers to check dash-cam and contact us if it has captured the collision.

“You can contact us by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43240031296.”