Watch shocking moment brave police officer stops car driving wrong way on M1 with head-on crash

The incident took place on Monday night (Jan 18) on the M1 South at the South Yorkshire border.

Police had received reports of a car coming the wrong way down the carriageway.

One brave officer stopped a trail of oncoming traffic before preparing to stop the car.

The officer made a "split second" decision to prevent injuries to those behind him, police said.

Video footage shows the car heading at speed towards the police vehicles.

A head-on crash is captured in harrowing scenes as the car is stopped by the officer.

West Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Unit tweeted: "So this happened last night, M1 south at the South Yorks border.

"Report of a car coming the wrong way on the motorway.

"Our brave colleague stopped the oncoming traffic to face this and made a split second decision to prevent injuries to those behind him."

The officer's quick thinking has now been praised on social media.

One user said: "Bravo.

"I hope all involved are all okay."