Thirty-four individuals hurt in 15-car crash near Gatwick Airport: Police probe big smash in hail storm and downpour which shut M23 for 4 hours
- Were YOU impacted by the pile-up? Email emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk
By Ed Holt and Emily Jane Davies
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Some 34 individuals are injured after a substantial crash including a minimum of 15 cars and trucks near Gatwick Airport on Friday night.
Cops verified several casualties in the crash, with 4 required to healthcare facility after the cars clashed on the M23 in Sussex in between Crawley and Horsham prior to heavy traffic.
The freeway was shut for 4 hours after downpour and a hail storm struck the location, which one witness stated turned the roadway into an ‘ice rink’.
South East Coast Ambulances took care of the casualties after being called at 5.40 pm, while Sussex Police advised individuals to ‘prevent the location’.
Friday night heavy traffic was brought to a dead stop in both instructions of the freeway that connects London to Brighton in between Junctions 10 and 11.
Images of the scene reveal numerous vehicles turned about with considerable damage and some appear to have actually been pressed off the roadway into a close-by ditch.
The crash including a minimum of 15 cars and trucks on the M23 has actually resulted in numerous casualties
The crash including a minimum of 15 cars and trucks on the M23 has actually caused several casualties
Pictures of the scene reveal a number of cars and trucks turned about with considerable damage and some appear to have actually been pressed off the roadway into a close-by ditch
A representative for Sussex Police stated previously at night: ‘The M23 is closed both methods in between J10 and J11 after an accident including around 15 cars.
‘Em ergency services were called at 5.40 pm and the ambulance service is dealing with several casualties.
‘Please prevent the location and anticipate interruption.’
Sussex Police stated the M23 southbound re-opened to traffic 4 hours later on however continued to advise chauffeurs to prevent the location. Junctions 10 and 11 northbound stay shut.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service validated that 4 individuals have actually been required to healthcare facility with ‘non lethal injuries’.
About 34 individuals are being examined for small injuries at the scene and a triage action at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley has actually been established to treat them.
Roger Williams, who was driving down the M23 when the pile-up occurred, informed The Argus it is the worst he has actually seen in 62 years.
He informed the news outlet it appeared like over ’30 vehicles’ are smashed, with ‘vans on their sides’ and a minibus ‘upside down’.
He included: ‘I counted 5 dealing with incorrect method after spinning, however the entire carriageway covered in particles.
‘There was a hail storm. The carriageway was covered in 2 inches of ice and individuals were speeding through it.’
South East Coast Ambulances are at the scene after being called at 5.40
A map of the traffic accumulation quickly before 7pm as chauffeurs are cautioned to prevent the location
Discussing X/Twitter, one witness stated: ‘I was likewise driving southbound simply after it occurred and it was frightening seeing automobiles and vans all over, and what appeared like slush over the carriageway.
‘Terrifying to see and do not believe I’ve ever driven home so thoroughly after that … Hope everybody is ok.’
Another published on X and stated the roadway appeared like an ‘ice rink’.
A representative from South East Coast Ambulance service informed ITV Meridian: ‘We stay at the scene of a multi-vehicle RTC on the M23 in between junction 10 and 11. We are evaluating and dealing with several casualties and prompt individuals to prevent the location.’