Three injured as crash closes M25 'until midnight'

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Long tailbacks stretching for 28 miles built up on the anti-clockwise side of the motorway

Three people have been injured on the M25 after a lorry crashed through the central reservation and hit a car on the opposite carriageway.

Police, fire and ambulance teams were called to the scene between junctions seven with the M23 and eight with the A217, just after 16:00 BST.
Surrey Police said part of the motorway was likely to be closed until "at least midnight" after the crash.
Queues of up to 28 miles built up after the crash.
Stationary traffic reached junction 10 and Clacket Lane, between junctions five and six on the Kent and Surrey border.
'Severe disruption' The Highways Agency said the clockwise traffic stretched back for six miles and the anti-clockwise queue back to Wisley ran for 28 miles.

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We've got the hard shoulder open trying to get people out”

Surrey Police spokeswoman

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said the HGV had spilled diesel on to the anti-clockwise carriageway and shed its load on the clockwise carriageway.

She said: "Road users are advised to avoid the area and make alternative travel arrangements.
"The Highways Agency will work with partners to do all we can to reopen the carriageways as soon as it is safe to do so."
South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was treating three casualties.
Surrey Police said emergency teams were called to initial reports that the lorry had struck the central reservation.
Damaged gantry Officers later confirmed the crash involved two vehicles, an HGV and a Nissan Micra.
The three people taken to hospital were the driver of the lorry and a man and a woman who were travelling in the car, a police spokeswoman said.
She confirmed there had been no fatalities.
Later, the spokeswoman said the motorway would remain closed for at least eight hours after the crash.
She said: "There is a gantry damaged and we can't put a time on it, but it will be at least midnight. We've got the hard shoulder open trying to get people out."
A police investigation into the cause of the crash has begun.
Clockwise traffic was diverted on to the M23 and anti-clockwise traffic was being sent towards Reigate and Godstone on the A217 and the A25.
Gatwick Airport warned passengers of road delays in the area and said people should check for updates on the BBC and Highways Agency websites.