WITNESSES are sought to the M1 crash yesterday, in which a five-year-old boy was seriously injured.

Emergency services were called at about 4.25pm to reports that a car had smashed into the barriers on the southbound carriageway near junction 3, approaching London Gateway Services.

Officers, London ambulance, fire brigade and HEMS air ambulance attended the scene.

The young boy was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, with head and arm injuries. His condition is described as serious but stable and police said it is not believed to be life-threatening.

The boy was a passenger in the Land Rover Freelander which flipped onto its roof. The woman driver was not injured in the crash, contrary to earlier reports.

The northbound carriageway was closed while the air ambulance landed, but was reopened at about 6pm. Traffic remained congested throughout the rush hour though, as drivers slowed to look at the crash site.

The southbound lanes reopened at about 9.30pm after the wreckage had been cleared.

Officers from the collision investigation unit at Alperton are investigating the crash and any witnesses are asked to telephone the unit on 020 8998 5319.