M25 crash chaos 'could end soon' - Belfast Telegraph

Saturday, 6 August 2011

Transport workers are hoping to fully re-open the M25 after parts of the busy motorway were shut for more than 24 hours following a crash in which three people were seriously hurt.

The closure caused 28-mile tailbacks on Friday and drivers were warned to avoid the area throughout Saturday.

Three people were badly injured in the smash, which happened when a lorry's tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The HGV, travelling on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junctions seven and eight, hit the central reservation barrier and a gantry at around 4.15pm, and shed its load on to the opposite side of the road.

The aluminium steel bales that it was carrying hit two cars.

The driver of a yellow Nissan Micra suffered serious leg injuries, while the front seat passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and was air-lifted to the Royal London Hospital in east London. The passenger was in a 'very critical' condition, Surrey police said.

The lorry driver was left with serious leg injuries and was airlifted to King's College Hospital in south east London. The driver is in a stable condition.

A bale also hit a silver Lexus, leaving the driver with minor injuries.

Two lanes on the clockwise carriageway between junctions seven and eight were reopened at around 3pm on Saturday. Later, the Highways Agency spokesman confirmed that two lanes on the anti-clockwise carriageway were opened around 6pm.

It is hoped that the whole stretch of the M25 will be open as normal by the end of Saturday night.