Four people have been taken to hospital and 30 others treated by paramedics after a crash involving 15 vehicles led to the closure of the M23 this evening (Friday 1 March).
Friday night rush-hour traffic came to a standstill both ways on the motorway that links Brighton, Gatwick and London.
Pictures from an eyewitness shared with ITV Meridian show a large emergency response on the M23 tonight following a multi vehicle collision.
Updates here: https://t.co/XgTysp7CBD pic.twitter.com/GiWSR4Ecu2
— ITV News Meridian (@itvmeridian) March 1, 2024
The crash happened in stormy condition with heavy rain and a hail storm lashing the area, with reports that the road surface was like an ice rink
Sussex Police said earlier: “The M23 is closed both ways between Junction 10 and Junction 11 after a collision involving around 15 vehicles.
“Emergency services were called at 5.40pm and the ambulance service is treating multiple casualties.
“Please avoid the area and expect disruption. Thank you for your patience.”
The South East Coast Ambulance Service said that it had taken four patients to hospital with what were not believed to be life-threatening injuries.
The ambulance service added: “A further approximately 30 patients are being assessed for minor injuries and will be taken to hospital or discharged from our care.”
And West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said earlier: “We are currently in attendance at (a crash) involving multiple vehicles between Junctions 10 and 11 of the M23 at Pease Pottage. Please avoid the area.”
At about 9.30pm – almost four hours after the crash – the southbound side of the motorway reopened.
There were reports that the northbound side could stay closed overnight.
The ambulance service confirmed 4 people have been taken to hospital and a further 30 are receiving treatment after an incident on the M23. https://t.co/ors4lTMETG
— ITV News Meridian (@itvmeridian) March 1, 2024
UPDATE: Following the multi-vehicle RTC on the M23 this evening, we have taken 4 patients to hospital with believed to be non life-threatening injuries. A further approx. 30 patients are being assessed for minor injuries and will be taken to hospital or discharged from our care.
— South East Coast Ambulance (@SECAmbulance) March 1, 2024
The M23 is closed both ways between J10 and J11 after a collision involving around 15 vehicles.
Emergency services were called at 5.40pm and the ambulance service is treating multiple casualties.
Please avoid the area and expect disruption. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/adyX6EWCYi
— Sussex Police (@sussex_police) March 1, 2024
⚠️ We are currently in attendance at an RTC involving multiple vehicles between Junctions 10 and 11 of the M23 at Pease Pottage. Please avoid the area. ⚠️
— West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (@WestSussexFire) March 1, 2024
Stopping distances.