Ambulances blocked from eight-vehicle pile-up on M25 by 'selfish' drivers
Surrey Police urge motorists to obey lane closures in a statement after emergency services struggled to access the crash site.
Sunday 25 November 2018 21:42, UK
Emergency services were unable to access a major crash involving eight vehicles on the M25 due to drivers ignoring lane closures.
The incident took place between Junction five and six on the anti-clockwise carriageway near Godstone, Kent, at around 9am on Sunday.
The eight-vehicle crash led to significant delays for motorists and traffic jams going on for miles.
A police spokesman said there were no life-threatening injuries and the road was cleared within a couple of hours.
But some vehicles ignored the lane closures, resulting in emergency services struggling to attend the crash site.
Surrey Police said in a tweet: "If on the M25 near the RTC between Jnc 6 and 5 please obey the lane closures.
"South East Coast Ambulance Service are reporting they cannot get further resources to the scene due to the closures being ignored and the carriageway being completely blocked!"
One driver who was stuck in the jams said on Twitter: "Stuck on M25 in massive jam due 2 an accident. People blocking fast lane which is signed keep clear for emergency services should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves."
Another added: "So angry at selfish motorists for ignoring lane closed, accident signs & blocking 999 services. Should be a motoring offence. #M25 #accident."
Jack Tappin of Highways England told Sky News: "A red X should be treated as equivalent to a no entry sign because it means you shouldn't be in that lane.
"When drivers see a red X they should take action to safely get out of that lane and not cause obstruction for any emergency services or traffic officers."
He added that those who do not obey the closures could be given a £100 fine by police and three licence points.