Crash Chaos Shuts Dartford Tunnel – Massive Delays Hit Commuters
Emergency crews have raced to the Dartford Crossing after a horror smash involving two UK-registered lorries inside the eastern tunnel.
Two Lorries Collide Inside Tunnel
Kent Police, Highways England traffic officers, and paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service scrambled to the scene after CCTV spotted the crash around 11:20am on Thursday, 14 October 2021. Both drivers are receiving treatment, with one confirmed to have a leg injury.
Tunnel Closed, Lengthy Queues Build
The eastern tunnel remains shut while investigations continue. The western tunnel is still open, but traffic is crawling with around 8 miles of jams and estimated delays of 55 minutes. Large vehicles over 15.8 metres are banned from entering the tunnel and urged to find alternative routes.
Kent Police Warning & Travel Advice
Officers are currently at the scene of a collision at the eastern tunnel at the Dartford Crossing. The eastern tunnel has been closed while emergency services deal with the incident. There is congestion on the approaches to the crossing in Kent; motorists may wish to plan their journey accordingly,” said Kent Police.
- Incident time: 11:20am, 14 October 2021
- Location: Eastern tunnel, Dartford Crossing
- Vehicles involved: Two UK-registered HGVs
- Delays: Up to 55 minutes, 8-mile queues
- Restrictions: Height limit of 15.8m in tunnel; larger vehicles rerouted
Drivers are advised to check traffic updates before setting off and expect major delays around Dartford for the foreseeable future.
