Drivers faced severe disruptions on the M25 following a significant collision involving a van and a lorry at the Dartford Crossing, leading to extensive traffic delays lasting several hours.
The incident occurred around 4:00 PM yesterday (July 24), and emergency services swiftly responded to the scene on the A282, a crucial segment of the M25 circuit. The collision necessitated a complete closure of the clockwise direction between Junction 30 and the A282 Junction 2 in Dartford, as reported by National Highways.
Responders included teams from Kent Police, Kent Fire Service, and East Coast Ambulance Service. One woman involved in the accident was critically injured and had to be airlifted to a hospital in London for urgent medical care.
The crash led to the M25 being shut down for over four hours, causing significant traffic build-up and delays. The highway was partially reopened by 8:37 PM, although lane 1 remained closed for an additional hour to facilitate cleanup and vehicle recovery operations, finally reopening at 9:49 PM.
A spokesperson for Kent Police provided details on the response: “Kent Police was called to the A282 in Dartford following a collision between a van and a lorry. Emergency services worked collaboratively at the scene, and a female casualty was airlifted to a London hospital for treatment. The roadway was closed to ensure the safety of the emergency teams and to manage the recovery of the vehicles involved.
Drivers affected by the delays were advised to seek alternative routes and to stay informed through updates from National Highways. The reopening of the road brought some relief to the evening traffic, though residual delays continued to affect the area for some time.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing, with authorities looking into all factors that may have contributed to this severe incident.
