A large section of the M25 has been shut down after a devastating three-car crash that triggered a horror fire, with thick smoke engulfing the motorway, causing widespread chaos and a complete traffic standstill.
One person was rushed to hospital with “serious injuries” shortly after the collison at around 2pm this afternoon. Congestion has been reported between junction 13 for the A30 (Staines) and junction 12 (M3), all the way back to Heathrow Airport, with slow traffic on the opposite side due to onlookers. Delays have been made even worse with the accident happening just before rush hour. Four lanes of the M25 were closed ealier, although Surrey Police say two have now been re-opened.
A spokesperson from the Surrey Fire and Rescue service said: “We received a call this afternoon around 14.05pm to a report of a vehicle fire on the M25 between Junction 14 to 13, Staines to Egham. Four fire engines were sent, arriving at the scene around 14.15pm. Three vehicles had been involved in a collision with two of the vehicles alight. Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.”
National Highways estimated that delays on the M25 anti-clockwise were around 90 minutes with congestion for ten miles, though the delays are increasing rapidly, reports Surrey Live. Traffic is being held because National Highways is waiting for Surrey Fire and Rescue to pack away and leave the scene.
Long delays on the M25 are also affecting drivers on the M4.
There are currently delays of 90 minutes and 10-mile long queues, meaning congestion is stretching from J16 (M40) to the scene of the crash. The incident has also affected drivers on the M4.
A spokesperson for The South East Coast Ambulance Service told SurreyLive: “I can confirm South East Coast Ambulance Service was called shortly before 2.10pm today (11 April) to reports of a multiple vehicle RTC on the M25 between junction 13 and junction 12. Two ambulance crews attended the scene and two patients have been assessed and treated before being taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey.”
There are still severe delays on the M25 up to J15 (M4 interchange), with traffic slowing on the opposite side due to onlookers.
Two of the four lanes closed are now open, but lanes four and five (of five) remain closed travelling anti-clockwise from J13 A30 (Staines) to J12 (M3 interchange) to allow for recovery to continue, Surrey Live reports.
Two ambulance crews raced to the M25 following this afternoon’s crash, the ambulance service has confirmed.
A spokesperson said: “I can confirm South East Coast Ambulance Service was called shortly before 2.10pm today (11 April) to reports of a multiple vehicle RTC on the M25 between junction 13 and junction 12. Two ambulance crews attended the scene and two patients have been assessed and treated before being taken to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey.”
According to National Highways, there is currently a 90-minute delay and congestion stretching ten miles.
The traffic has been made even worse by rush hour, with hundreds of thousands of people attempting to commute home for the weekend.
UPDATE#M25 anti-clockwise between J13 (#Staines) and J12 (#M3) #Surrey
LANES CLOSED
3 lanes (of 5) closed for recovery of vehicles following earlier collision and fire.
90 min delay and 10 miles of congestion from J16 (#M40) and also affecting #M4 links to M25. pic.twitter.com/lXyCl8g52Y
One person has been rushed to a nearby hospital after sustaining “serious injuries” in the crash this afternoon.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police confirmed: “We received a report of a four-vehicle collision on the M25 anticlockwise between junctions 13 and 12, that took place at just before 2pm this afternoon (11 April). One person was taken to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Due to two of the vehicles catching fire, the road was temporarily closed, however two lanes are now open.”
Fire crews were alerted to the collision just after 2pm and arrived on the motorway minutes later where two cars were on fire.
A spokesperson from the Surrey Fire and Rescue service said: “We received a call this afternoon around 14.05pm to a report of a vehicle fire on the M25 between Junction 14 to 13, Staines to Egham. Four fire engines were sent, arriving at the scene around 14.15pm. Three vehicles had been involved in a collision with two of the vehicles alight. Crews remain at the scene tackling the fire.”
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