Three dead as horror smash closes M25

News

John Dunne Crime Reporter

THREE people have died and two drivers have been arrested after a collision on the M25 involving a lorry, a minibus and a car. A fourth person is critical in hospital with after the crash, which happened near Waltham Abbey at around 6.15pm yesterday and caused the motorway to be closed for 11 hours. Police said the collision occurred between junctions 27 and 26 of the anti-clockwise carriageway, with two drivers arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. Highways England said the section of the motorway between the two junctions reopened at 5.10am today. Police are eager to trace the movements of the three vehicles — a Ford Mondeo, a minibus and a lorry — leading up to the collision. Detective Sergeant Steve Holmes described last night’s events as “incredibly challenging”. He said: “We are continuing to work as quickly as we can to piece together exactly what led to this. My thoughts and those of all officers on the scene are with the families of those who lost their lives. “Two drivers have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. I need anyone with further information to come forward.” Emergency services also thanked motorists for their patience in the face of delays due to the collision, which was attended by nine ambulances, two air ambulances, several police vehicles plus fire engines. Parv Domah was among those caught up in the traffic tailbacks near junction 26. He said: “There were about 30 emergency vehicles that drove past in the three hours I was caught up there, as well as two air ambulances.”