Tragic Crash on M23: 80-Year-Old Veteran Car Driver Killed
An 80-year-old man driving a vintage 1903 Knox Runabout “Old Porcupine” has died after a horror smash on the M23 in Surrey. The veteran driver was involved in a collision with a lorry linked to roadworks on Sunday, 3rd November 2019.
The M23 is shut in both directions and is expected to stay closed for hours as emergency crews investigate the freak accident.
Man Thrown from Car, Passenger Seriously Injured
Witnesses say the elderly driver was thrown from the vehicle on impact and hit the lorry’s windscreen. Six fire crews from Surrey and London rushed to the scene. An air ambulance was also dispatched.
A female passenger was seriously hurt and rushed to hospital. Sadly, the man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash around 10am.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Dashcam Footage
Surrey Police confirmed:
“We can confirm that a man has sadly died following a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M23 near J7 Hooley this morning. The road remains closed in both directions while we investigate and work to reopen the motorway.”
Officers have informed the man’s next of kin. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is urged to call 101, quoting incident PR/P19255341.
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Statement
The veteran car event organisers revealed the car had been entered for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run but had veered off the official route. The M23 is not part of the sanctioned course.
“We are supporting the family and working closely with police, but cannot comment further at this stage,” a spokesman said.
M23 Closure Causes Major Travel Chaos
- The motorway remains closed between junction 7 (Hooley) and junction 8 (M25).
- Southbound traffic from J7 should divert via the A23 towards Gatwick, rejoining the M23 at J9A.
- Northbound drivers can take the M25 anti-clockwise to J6, then the A22 northbound to Purley.
Stay tuned for updates as emergency services continue their work at the scene of this tragic incident.
