A DRIVER died in hospital after his car swerved off the motorway, crossed the hard shoulder and crashed into a field.

The 39-year-old man from Luton was travelling south along the M1 at 2.20pm on Sunday afternoon.

A short distance after passing junction six, the north Watford turnoff, his blue Ford Orion is understood to have moved slightly from the inside lane towards the middle lane.

It then swerved back and crashed. The driver was the only person in the car.

He was taken to Watford General Hospital, where he died from severe head injuries.

Police said they do not know why the man lost control and have appealed for witnesses.

Anyone with information can contact PC Jim McCarney on 01707 638707.

June 10, 2002 14:30