The collision near the Mawsley roundabout at 11.45am yesterday involving a lorry, two vans and a car, claimed the life of a 33-year-old man from Leicester.

The man was the passenger in a Nissan van, whose driver had to be cut free and airlifted to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry with life-threatening injuries.

Police said a VW Passat and a Ford Transit van, both travelling towards Northampton, were involved in a minor shunt.

A Nissan Vanette travelling in the same direction behind these two vehicles was then involved in what was also a very minor collision with a trailer being towed by the Ford Transit.

However, the Nissan then crossed into the opposite carriageway and was in collision with a Scania Tipper.

A Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance spokesman said: "We were called to an accident on the A43 between a dumper truck and Transit van and were on the scene shortly before midday.

"The crew treated a patient and flew him to hospital where he is receiving medical care for his critical injuries."

The road was closed between the Mawsley roundabout and the A43 junction with the A14. It re-opened shortly after 4.15pm

A police spokesman said: "Officers have been at the scene carrying out investigations into what happened during the collision which involved four vehicles."

Officers in the police collision investigation unit are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 08453 700700 or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.