M25 Reopens After Major Crash Leaves Drivers Stranded For Hours During Record-Breaking Heat

A stretch of the M25 has reopened after a serious collision and fuel spill left motorists stranded for hours in sweltering temperatures during one of the hottest days ever recorded in the UK.

National Highways confirmed the clockwise carriageway between Junction 5 and Junction 6, near Godstone in Surrey, reopened in the early hours of Thursday morning following extensive clean-up and resurfacing work.

The disruption began on Wednesday after a collision involving a van and a lorry, leading to the closure of the motorway and triggering severe congestion in both directions.

At its peak, traffic queues stretched for around 10 miles as temperatures across the South East soared under a rare red extreme heat warning.

The incident became increasingly concerning as hundreds of motorists were left stuck in stationary traffic for prolonged periods during the intense heat.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said more than 10 people required hospital treatment for minor injuries and heat-related conditions.

One man was airlifted to hospital from the scene, although emergency services have not released details of his condition.

National Highways said a significant fuel spillage caused extensive damage to the road surface, requiring emergency repairs before the motorway could safely reopen.

The closure sparked frustration among drivers, with reports emerging of people running low on drinking water after being trapped in queues for several hours.

Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan publicly called for urgent action, warning that some motorists were facing emergency conditions inside overheated vehicles.

He said one constituent had been stuck near Oxted for around eight hours in temperatures approaching 40°C inside her car while travelling with children and running short of water.

By shortly before 2am on Thursday, National Highways confirmed the affected stretch of motorway had reopened, with no significant delays remaining on the approach.

The disruption came as the UK recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 36.1°C on Wednesday afternoon.