A man has been flown to hospital after a 'horrific' crash involving three lorries on the M25.

A man in his twenties was flown to The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel after the collision on the anti-clockwise carriageway this afternoon.

The road was closed in both directions, but two lanes have been re-opened on the anti-clockwise side.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed they re-opened the clockwise carriageway between Junction 21a and Junction 23 after the three lorries collided just after 2pm.

The fire service released two people from their vehicles using cutting equipment in the aftermath of the crash.

Hollie Cowan, spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “An ambulance, HEMS Air ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance office attended and treated a man in his 20s.

“He was flown to The Royal London Hospital with suspected abdominal and shoulder injuries.”

However, traffic is now tailing back in both directions, with delays of an hour and a half being reported in some cases.

One motorist tweeted: "The lorry crash on the M25 is horrific."

 


The crash happened just after the exit slip road for Junction 21A on the anti-clockwise carriageway.

Initial reports suggested there was also a tanker involved, though both the fire service and the police have not confirmed this.

Simon Hoggett, spokesman for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, said two people were trapped after the collision.

He said: "Two people were trapped and there were no hazardous materials on the road."

A statement from the Highways Agency has issued advice on a number of diversions in place across the area.

It reads: "Work will continue to recover the vehicles involved from within the remaining lane closures.

"This is expected to continue in to the evening peak period.
Customers are reminded that severe delays remain in the area with delays back towards M25 J24.

"Hopefully this situation will improve however we are still advising customers to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys or seek alternative routes.

"Traffic heading for the Midlands is still advised to use the M11 and A14 or A1M and A14."