The M25 anticlockwise is closed as investigation work is carried out after nine people injured and four were trapped in a serious crash involving a van and a minibus.
Surrey Police has confirmed that two of the people have been injured seriously after an air ambulance landed on the tarmac.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
The accident happened between J13 A30 (Staines) to J12 M3 and traffic could cause delays to anyone heading to Heathrow Airport.
Fire crews and ambulances were on the scene at around 1.30am on Monday morning (October 1) before the air ambulance arrived.
Drivers are being advised to seek alternative routes
Follow this live blog to stay updated on the latest news regarding this incident.
You can also keep up to date with the latest news via the free Get West London app.
Key Events
M25 accident shuts lanes in both directions - everything we know so far
To recap: there are severe traffic delays on the M25 in both directions around J18 due to a four-car crash in which a lorry spilled its load onto the opposite carriageway. Here’s everything we know so far
Normal traffic expected at 00.45-01.00
According to the Highways England website, normal traffic is expected on the M25 at around 00.45-01.00.
Hertfordshire Police confirm air ambulance attendance
A tweet from Hertfordshire Police confirmed that the air ambulance was due to land at the scene at J18 of the M25.
Emergency services are at the scene of a collision involving a lorry on the M25 at J18 anticlockwise. Both directions of the motorway are due to be closed to allow the air ambulance to land. This will cause significant traffic issued and motorists are advised to avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/WC3rPosK0J
— Herts Police (@HertsPolice) October 1, 2018
Two lanes now open clockwise
Two lanes are now open clockwise past the scene. The anti-clockwise carriageway is still fully closed with cars being diverted off the motorway.
On the #M25, the clockwise carriageway at J18 now has two lanes open past the scene of the collision. On the opposite carriageway, the anti-clockwise remains fully closed at J18: traffic is being being diverted via the adjacent slip-roads. Approx' 7 mile queue. @roadpoliceBCH
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) October 1, 2018
Traffic cameras show images
Images from Highways England show the traffic on the M25 both clockwise and anticlockwise approaching the incident. They stem back as far as J16 and J21.
Highways England confirm closures
Highways England have tweeted to confirm that one lane is open on the M25 clockwise and that all lanes are closed anticlockwise.
On the #M25, the clockwise carriageway has now partially re-opened, J17 - J20, following the earlier collision at J18. But only one lane is open, so continue to allow plenty of extra journey time approaching J18. The anti-clockwise remains fully closed at J18. @roadpoliceBCH pic.twitter.com/VGQWb5uDSm
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) October 1, 2018
Traffic build up of 12 miles
Traffic has now built up to 12 miles before the accident on the M25 clockwise. Google Maps are reporting travel times of 44 minutes from J16 to the incident.
Traffic cameras show traffic
Images from Highways England traffic cameras show the traffic on the M25 anticlockwise at J18 and on the clockwise carriageway at J16 as a result of the incident.
Road reopened at J14
Some positive news - Highways England have tweeted that all lanes at J14 clockwise are now open, although traffic is still expected. It was in fact a broken down motorhome that caused the issues.
On the #M25 clockwise at J14 near to @HeathrowAirport, we've cleared the broken down motorhome from out of the carriageway. Traffic is now moving again, but it'll take a little time for the delays and queuing traffic to ease. https://t.co/Z7vwpivgA6
— Highways England (@HighwaysSEAST) October 1, 2018
Diversion in place
A diversion is in place between J17 and J20 of the M25. INRIX sat that the route is via A405 Southbound, A411 Northbound and A41 Northbound to then rejoin the motorway at J20.
Also lanes closed at J14
Lanes have also been closed at J14 (Heathrow Terminal 4) of the M25 clockwise due to a broken down van in lane three. Traffic is queuing as a result.
Three cars and a lorry involved in crash
Travel news provider INRIX are reporting that the M25 clockwise is closed and traffic is building. A lorry on the opposite (anticlockwise) carriageway collided with the central reservation and shed its load onto the clockwise carriageway.
Good evening
Good evening and welcome back to our live blog. We are now covering two separate incidents to this morning. A lorry has collided with the central reservation at J18 of the M25 and has shed its load onto the clockwise carriageway. Meanwhile, a broken down van has closed two lanes clockwise at J14 (Heathrow Terminal 4)
No update on injuries yet
Surrey Live has tried to contact South East Coast Ambulance Service for clarification on the injuries sustained in the crash - but is yet to receive a response.
A firefighter who attended the crash said that two people were rushed to hospital with “life threatening injuries.”
Surrey Fire and Rescue tweeted to say that there are four people trapped in the wreckage and an air ambulance was called to the scene, although it is unclear whether any patients were transported to hospital in it.
A firefighter who attended the scene said: “We had to extricate two persons and they were both rushed to hospital with possible life threatening injuries. The rest of the people involved were the walking wounded.”
“All injured persons were taken to hospital by road.”
Here's our latest report
You might find that traffic is easing up but you can expect delays for at least another hour or so.
Alternative routes are still your best bet.
Congestion two miles past J16
Very slow traffic is being reported at J13 A30 (Staines) to J12 M3 and there is currently congestion to around two past J16 (M40).
Travel time is currently around 45 to 50 minutes.
Roads are still busy in Heathrow, Staines, Windsor, Hounslow and Chertsey.
Over 8 hours later - ALL LANES HAVE NOW REOPENED
All lanes have now reopened.
Highways England are still recommending that drivers seek alternative routes and delays remain at around an hour up to the collision.
Reopening process underway - but delays until MIDDAY
Surrey Police has confirmed that the re-opening process has begun.
However, the anti-clockwise carriageway is likely to take several hours to fully clear, so if you’re planning a journey before MIDDAY please allow extra time and plan an alternative route.
Heathrow say no knock on effect expected despite traffic
Surrey Live has contacted Heathrow Airport who say that they expect no knock on effects despite the traffic on the roads.
"Still on target for the 09:00 re-open, hopefully"
An hour ago, Surrey Police handed over responsibility to Highways England and were hopeful of a 9am reopening.
That has not yet happened.
Very heavy traffic
The traffic situation is not looking pretty out there, which is no surprise considering the M25 anticlockwise has been shut for the whole of rush hour.
Google maps is showing heavy traffic from J16 with the M40 heading anticlockwise.
"Possible life threatening injuries"
A firefighters at the scene said that his crew had to free two trapped people from the wreckage, both of which were rushed to hospital with “possible life threatening injuries.”
They also said that nobody was airlifted to hospital - but the helicopter did land on the tarmac.
Vehicle broken down on the J13 slip road
As if it wasn’t bad enough - there is now a vehicle broken down on the slip road at J13.
No petrol? Overheated? Not sure yet.
Traffic is being held for safety reasons. This is separate to the accident between J13 and J12.
Read the latest on the story here
For recap of this mornings events you can read the full story here.
Nine people in total were injured in the crash.
Two of them were seriously injured and the air ambulance was in attendance.
It is not yet clear what the extend of those injuries are.
Recovery has been completed
Recovery has been completed and the clear up operation has been handed over to Highways England.
9am reopening is still the target.
Traffic is still advised to re-route if possible. Here is the advice being given to drivers:
The anti-clockwise M25 in Surrey is closed between J13 (Staines, Egham A30) and J12 (Basingstoke, Southampton, Richmond M3) due to a serious collision. Surrey Police are on scene finalising collision investigation and recovery is on going.
A diversion is in operation for traffic exiting at J13. Please follow the route marked with a hollow square symbol on local road signs. This will route traffic on to the A30 towards London. At the Crooked Billet roundabout exit on to the A308 and head towards Kingston. At the Sunbury Cross junction (M3 J1) join the M3 westbound to rejoin the M25 at J2 (M25 J12).
Long delays of 60 minutes above normal journey times are being measured on the approach, road users should allow extra time for their journey if planning on using this section of the M25.
Authorities trying to reopen the motorway by 9am
Surrey Police says it is working hard with Highways England to try and reopen the road by 9am.
They have made no guarantees, but are trying.
Delays are currently at around an hour approaching the road closure.
Surrey Police statement
Here is the full statement from a Surrey Police spokesman:
“The M25 is currently closed anti-clockwise between Junction 13 (Staines) and Junction 12 (M3) following a serious collision earlier this morning (1 October).
“At 01:30 emergency services were called to a collision involving a white transit van and a minibus carrying passengers, shortly before Junction 12. In total nine people have been injured, two seriously. A man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
“The road was closed in both directions to allow an air ambulance to land. Although the M25 has now reopened clockwise, the anticlockwise stretch remains closed to allow the scene to be cleared (there has been a fuel spillage) and the collision investigators to carry out their work. Officers are working as fast as they can, however the closure is likely to impact on the rush hour, and drivers are advised to seek alternatives if possible.
“Highways England are asking drivers to leave the M25 at J13 and take the A30 towards London, then join the A3308 at the Crooked Billet roundabout (towards Kingston), then the M3 from the Sunbury Cross roundabout.
“Officers are keen to speak with anyone who saw the collision, or the moments leading up to it. They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or helmet-cam footage from the area at around the time of the incident.
“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 to speak to Surrey Police, and quote reference PR/P18236045.”
Delays of 45 minutes
Highways England says specialist recovery is at the scene and the road is still closed between J13 and J12.
It says there are delays of around 45 minutes approaching the road closure.
Warning to anyone flying
If you’re flying from Heathrow or Gatwick airport this morning you should check your route and plan significant extra time.
There are currently long delays of approx 45 minutes on the approach to the closure.
Delays to bus services
First Berkshire, which runs two bus services between Windsor, Slough and Heathrow Airport, says it is expecting delays to services 8 and 9 because of the diversion.
