Huge delays as M25 closed for three hours after horror pile up as two people rushed to hospital

The M25 motorway was closed off this morning following a multi-vehicle pile-up as two people have been rushed to hospital, the ambulance service has confirmed.

The anti-clockwise carriageway was closed between junction 23 at South Mimms and junction 22 at St Albans following reports of a crash at 06:20 GMT this morning. 

Emergency crews raced to the junction following the smash, which the National Highway’s say involved three vehicles – a car, van and a heavy goods vehicle.

Paramedics for the East of England Ambulance Service have added that one person has been airlifted to St Mary’s Hospital in London – in a critical condition – while another male was taken to Barnet General Hospital.

Hertfordshire police were also at the scene. 

Meanwhile, the National Highway has confirmed that all lanes have reopened anti-clockwise but delays ‘remains in the area’, after three hours of disruption and six miles of congestion.

Anticlockwise between junction 23 and junction 22 was closed off this morning following a accident

National Highways said that queues stretched back more than five miles this morning

A large stretch of the M25 was closed this morning following themulti-vehicle collision

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 6.27am to a road traffic collision involving multiple vehicles on the anti-clockwise M25 near junction 22. 

‘Four ambulances, two ambulance officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and a response car from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the scene. 

‘An adult male was transported by road to St Mary’s Hospital in London, with medics from the air ambulance also accompanying to provide advanced critical care, while another adult male was conveyed to Barnet General Hospital.’ 

Hertfordshire police have also confirmed they were at the scene early this morning.

A spokesperson said: ‘Police were called at around 6.21am this morning (Friday 24 February) to reports of a collision on the M25 westbound, between junction 23 (South Mimms) and junction 22 (St Albans). Four vehicles were involved.

‘The fire service and the ambulance service were also called to the scene.

‘Temporary road closures were put in place to allow emergency services access and for vehicle recovery.

‘All lanes have since been re-opened as of 9.30am.’

Delays of up to 50 minutes were reported between the junctions this morning.

Vast queues were seen during rush-hour – at 8.30am – as the National Highways said that they stretched back more than five miles following the horror incident.

National Highways confirmed that all lanes have now reopened anti-clockwise between junction 22 and junction 23

Hertfordshire police have also confirmed they were at the scene early this morning

Drivers passing through the area endured around six miles of congestion and delays on approach to the incident this morning. 

A diversion route was in place, which took drivers off the M25 at junction 23 onto the A1(M) northbound and back onto the M25 via the A414, A1081 and B556.

However, National Highways East have now said that a recovery is in place, and clear up is ongoing. 

They confirmed that all lanes have reopened anti-clockwise between junction 22 and junction 23.

However, they have urged drivers to make sure that they plan their journey in advance before setting off around the area, after motorists endured three hours of disruption this morning.

They added: ‘A 20 minute delay remains in the area but should now start to ease.’ 

A spokesperson for the National Highways said: ‘The M25 was closed anti-clockwise between J23 and J22 due to a collision closing 2 of four lanes this morning. The incident involved three vehicles, a car, van and a heavy goods vehicle. The Police and other emergency services were in attendance.

‘The incident was reported at 0626 this morning and the carriageway cleared and all lanes were opened at 0930hrs.’