M25 motorway shut after crane crashes through central reservation
6 December 2019, 20:47
The M25 is closed following a huge crash involving a crane that smashed through the central reservation.
The collision happened at Junction 27 with the M11 in Essex on Friday evening.
Emergency services confirmed no one was seriously injured.
The incident has caused huge tailbacks, with more than 10 miles of traffic on the clockwise carriageway.
Essex Police said the road is likely to be closed for "some considerable time".
Highways England have told motorists to avoid the area while emergency services clear the scene.
They added that severe delays are now expected until around 4am Saturday morning with normal traffic conditions resuming at around 4:15am.
Several blocks from the central reservation have been smashed apart and are spread across the junction, making it impossible for vehicles to pass.
#M25 at J27 clockwise and Anti-clockwise , Motorway is CLOSED for a serious Road traffic collision involving a vehicle that has crossed over. All emergency services heading to scene. please avoid the area #TheydonInterchange #Epping #Essex #TheydonBois
— Highways England (@HighwaysEAST) December 6, 2019
Images shared on social media show an unknown liquid covering parts of the road as it leaks from the crane.
In a statement, Highways England said: "Specialist contractors will be required to recover the vehicle. The road is likely to remain closed for some time whilst this work continues and will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so.
"For traffic approaching the delays locally, drivers are advised to expect disruption with extra journey time and may wish to re-route or delay their journeys.
"If travelling towards this area from much further afield, delay information will remain visible on on-road variable message signs until delays have cleared."
