{"id":202451,"date":"2026-06-24T19:52:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:52:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/06\/24\/emergency-calls-as-traffic-stranded-on-m25-in-heat\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T19:52:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:52:24","slug":"emergency-calls-as-traffic-stranded-on-m25-in-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/06\/24\/emergency-calls-as-traffic-stranded-on-m25-in-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency calls as traffic stranded on M25 in heat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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People stranded in heavy traffic for hours following a serious crash between a van and lorry on the M25 are being treated for heat-related illnesses during the highest June temperatures for decades.<\/b><\/p>\n

South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said it had responded to a number of patients between junctions six and seven on the M25, near Godstone, as a section of the motorway was closed and a man was airlifted to hospital. <\/p>\n

Crews said they were prioritising the most serious cases as the long queues were making it difficult to reach patients.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson said the congestion had been “severe and prolonged”, with some vehicles stationary for hours during the red heat alert.<\/p>\n

“This has resulted in a number of calls from people suffering from heat-related illnesses including a number of coach passengers,” they said.<\/p>\n

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    Hottest June day on record as temperatures soar to 36.1C<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    A number of people took to social media to ask for help from the emergency services, including Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan.<\/p>\n

    In a post, Vaughan addressed police and highways teams as he said: “Please sort this out urgently. People need water and some may need evacuation. You have protocols for this situation – please implement them – this is an emergency!”<\/p>\n

    He said one constituent had been stuck on the M25 near Oxted for eight hours, adding: “It is 40 degrees in her car. She has kids with her. She is running out of water.<\/p>\n

    “The person from the car in front has been airlifted to hospital with dehydration. Police seem to be saying it’s not their job to give out water.”<\/p>\n

    One woman posted on Facebook: “My parents have been stuck on the M25 for over 4.5 hours, no information, no supplies.<\/p>\n

    “There are elderly people, babies, animals, people with health conditions out there on the tarmac in the middle of a red heat warning on the hottest June day for 50 years!<\/p>\n

    “Can the police not coordinate some water and assistance? The exits are taking hours!”<\/p>\n

    Susan Taylor replied to Secamb’s Facebook update: “My daughter and I were stuck in this from 10.15am, We also had a minor bump from a poor lady who collapsed at the wheel of her car due to heat stroke”.<\/p>\n

    Thanking emergency crews “struggling through the traffic”, she added: “Also a huge thank you to the other drivers who helped and to the drivers that passed handing us water and even ice appeared”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Another posted: “My nan and grandad both in there 70s have been there 7hours & also haven’t been told anything.<\/p>\n

    “You would think they would have to give water out in this heat! Just had another 3 ambulances go past them so thinking maybe people are getting ill in the heat now. It’s awful”.<\/p>\n

    Another replied: “My parents also in their 70s. They say ambulances have been trying to get through but no hard shoulder! People lying on the ground unwell. No info or support!”<\/p>\n

    Kathy Matthews said she had been stuck for five hours and had to turn her air conditioning off to save petrol.<\/p>\n

    She said she was glad she did not have a heart condition, adding: “When I managed to get to Shell I felt very wobbly.”<\/p>\n

    Surrey Police said the earlier crash had involved a white Mercedes Vito van, driven by the male patient who was in his 30s, and a white lorry.<\/p>\n

    The force said it was appealing for witnesses and motorists could expect lengthy delays in the area due to a closure at junction five.<\/p>\n

    A police spokesperson said: “One of the vehicles is currently being recovered, and a significant oil spillage from the collision has caused damage to the road surface.<\/p>\n

    “National Highways engineers are carrying out assessments before the carriageway can safely reopen.”<\/p>\n

    Secamb said it had been called to the scene at about 10:00 BST. The male patient had suffered a leg injury and would receive further treatment in hospital, it added.<\/p>\n

    Both lanes of the exit slip road at junction six are now open while the main carriageway remains closed, the force added.<\/p>\n

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