A man in his 30s has been airlifted to hospital after a serious crash between a van and a lorry on the M25 near Godstone.
The motorway has been shut for hours following the crash near Bletchingley this morning, with Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service and an air ambulance attending the incident.
More than 10 people were taken to hospital for “minor and heat-related conditions” as huge queues of traffic built up.
Many stranded drivers took to social media to ask for water to be provided by emergency services. One person wrote on X: “4 hours now and still 3 miles from J6. So people likely stuck in gridlock for 7-8 hours. You should be providing water. People may also run out fuel given the air con constantly running.”
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView PostView Post24th Jun22:46 BST
More than 10 people have been taken to hospital for “minor and heat-related conditions”, the South East Coast Ambulance Service said, as huge queues left motorists stranded for hours on the M25 during the red heat alert.
Eliana Nunes24th Jun21:25 BST
Tony Vaughan, Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, said a woman and her children have been stuck on the M25 near Oxted for eight hours in the heat without water.
“Police seem to be saying it’s not their job to give out water. @SurreyPolice @NationalHways please sort this out urgently,” he wrote on X.
“People need water and some may need evacuation. You have protocols for this situation – please implement them – this is an emergency!”
Eliana Nunes24th Jun21:12 BST
In an update on X, National Highways said the M25 clockwise remains closed between Junctions 5 and 6. It added that emergency overnight resurfacing is required as the crash “resulted in a large spillage that caused extensive damage”. Delays are minimal.
Eliana Nunes24th Jun19:41 BST
The incident is expected to clear between 1am and 1.15am, National Highways says on its website.
Eliana Nunes24th Jun18:53 BST
In its latest update on X, National Highways said the M25 clockwise carriageway remains closed within Junction 6 (Godstone) due to a serious crash.
It warned of “significant delays in the area” and urged motorists to plan ahead.
Eliana Nunes24th Jun17:35 BST
Surrey Police added in its statement: “Our enquiries remain ongoing, and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam or helmet-cam footage that may have captured all or part of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact us, quoting PR/45260075072.
“We would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding while emergency services responded to the incident and road closures remained in place. We are also grateful for the continued support of our partner agencies, including Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex and National Highways.”
Eliana Nunes24th Jun17:23 BST
Surrey Police has confirmed that a man in his 30s suffered “serious injuries” in a crash on the clockwise carriageway of the M25 between Junctions 6 and 7 near Bletchingley shortly before 10am today.
The force said the crash involved a white Mercedes Vito van and a white lorry. The man in his 30s, who was the driver of the van, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to hospital.
“The M25 clockwise carriageway between Junctions 6 and 7 remains closed while emergency services and National Highways continue their response,” the force said.
“One of the vehicles is currently being recovered, and a significant oil spillage from the collision has caused damage to the road surface. National Highways engineers are carrying out assessments before the carriageway can safely reopen.
“Both lanes of the exit slip road at Junction 6 are now open, allowing motorists to leave the motorway and rejoin at Junction 6 if required. Traffic is being diverted via the M26 and local road networks.
“Drivers are advised to continue avoiding the area where possible and to follow National Highways and local travel updates for the latest information.”
Eliana Nunes24th Jun16:55 BST
National Highways said in an update on X that police investigations have been completed and recovery work is under way.
Contractors are dealing with a “large spillage” at the scene, with the incident expected to be cleared between 9pm and 9.15pm.
Eliana Nunes24th Jun15:58 BST
A spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called at around 10am today following reports of a road traffic collision on the M25 between Junctions 5 and 6 near Godstone.
“Multiple crews attended and were joined at the scene by the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex,” the spokesperson said.
“A male patient was treated at the scene for a leg injury, before being airlifted to St George’s Hospital in London for further medical treatment.”
Eliana Nunes24th Jun14:52 BST
Many drivers stuck in the queue following the crash have told of being stuck for four hours and have asked for water to be provided.
One person wrote on X: “4 hours now and still 3 miles from J6. So people likely stuck in gridlock for 7-8 hours. You should be providing water. People may also run out fuel given the air con constantly running.”
Another said: “People have been stuck for 4 hours no water ….,” while a further commented: 2Hardly moving 1 mile in 4 hours . Children and dearly mother in car. No water. No nothing joke.”
Tim Hanlon24th Jun14:27 BST
National Highways says there is no estimated time for the M25 clockwise to re-open following a serious crash which involved two vehicles.
Police continue to complete investigations at the scene within J6 and trapped traffic is still being released via the junction 6 exit slip. Drivers are facing four miles of congestion and long delays on approach.
Tim Hanlon24th Jun14:06 BST
Officers from Surrey Police are at the scene of a crash involving two vehicles on the M25 clockwise between J6 and J7.
A closure is in effect from J5 to prevent any further traffic from joining, and the M26 westbound has also been shut at this time.
Drivers have been urged not to leave their vehicles as traffic is expected to begin moving “shortly”. While the closure continues, road users are urged to seek alternative routes where possible.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the M25 clockwise between junctions 6 and 7.
“Motorists can expect lengthy delays in the area due to the closure at J5 to prevent any additional traffic joining, but please do not leave your vehicle if you are between J5-6 as traffic will be moving shortly.
“Traffic is being directed off the main carriageway while emergency services work at the scene. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible, allowing extra time for your journey. Further updates will be provided when available. Thank you for your patience. “
Tim Hanlon24th Jun13:24 BST
A spokesperson from the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex has confirmed that a crew was called to the serious crash on the M25 clockwise.
Officers from Surrey Police have also attended, alongside fire crews and paramedics.
The air ambulance spokesperson said: “A crew from Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) was dispatched to an incident on the M25 at Godstone today. We are unable to provide further comment at present.”
Emergency services at crash scene(Image: @luke_8m/X)
Images shows a long queue of vehicles on the M25 as we approach the hottest part of the day during the heatwave.
People stuck in traffic during the heatwave(Image: @luke_8m/X)
National Highways says that the anti-clockwise carriageway has now reopened, with the opposite side still closed and delays of more than an hour remain.
“Trapped traffic is being released on the #M25 clockwise within J6 #Godstone due to an earlier serious collision,” stated the agency. “The anticlockwise carriageway is now open to traffic.
And it added: “Long delays in excess of 60 minutes on approach.”
Tim Hanlon24th Jun12:32 BST
Motorists stuck on the M25 have shared photos and videos from the spot as they urge people on social media to “avoid” the motorway.
One of the users wrote: “M25 junction 6 ….. avoid.”
Another user commented: “It’s finally happened, first flight missed in 50 years, horrific crash on the M25, closed both ways, air ambulance in attendance, no point stressing, some poor soul might not be going home today.”
A third user commented: “Horrible accident on the M25 clockwise at Junction 6.
“That’s going to take a lot of cleaning up, can’t see that opening any time soon, already miles upon miles of stationary traffic leading up to it as everybody has to come up at that junction.”
Tim Hanlon24th Jun12:28 BST
Motorists face delays of more than an hour on the M25 and there is a major emergency response underway following a serious crash near Junction 6.
Surrey Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, an Air Ambulance and National Highways all have units on scene.
Traffic caught within the closure is being released forwards to exit at J6.
An air ambulance at the scene(Image: @luke_8m/X)
Road users that intending to use the M26 to the M25 are advised to follow the below diversion route.
- Continue on the M20 to J1 and then join the M25 at J3 heading clockwise.
- Continue on the M25 to J5.
- Follow the diversion route detailed above for J5-J6 traffic
Tim Hanlon24th Jun12:18 BST
Road users travelling clockwise are advised to follow the Hollow Triangle diversion symbol on road signs
- At M25 Junction 5 follow onto A21 and then take the second A25 exit towards Westerham.
- Follow A25 through Sundridge, Brasted, Westerham, Limpsfield and Oxted.
- Continue along A25 towards Godstone to A25 / A22 roundabout.
- Take 3rd exit onto A22 towards London to M25 Junction 6
- At J6 roundabout take the 2nd exit and rejoin M25 towards Gatwick.
Tim Hanlon24th Jun12:17 BST
An alert from the AA says ‘multiple vehicles’ have been involved in the incident.
It said: “Road closed and long delays due to serious crash, multiple vehicles and the central reservation involved on M25 clockwise before J6 A22 (Godstone).
“Camera confirm emergency services in lanes two and three (of three) on the Anti Clockwise carriageway.”
The crash scene on the motorway(Image: @luke_8m/X)
National Highways states: “The M25 in Kent/Surrey is closed: Clockwise: between J5 Chevening Interchange (Sevenoaks, Hastings A21) and J6 Godstone Interchange (East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Caterham, Godstone A22; Redhill, (A25)) Anti-clockwise: within J6 is also closed.
“The M26 westbound is also closed between J3 of the M20 and the M25.
“This is due to a serious collision near J6. Surrey Police, Surrey Fire & Rescue, South East Coast Ambulance Service, an Air Ambulance and National Highways all have units on scene.
“Traffic caught within the closure is being released forwards to exit at J6.”