Emergency calls as traffic stranded on M25 in heat
Image source, Reuben Brown Image caption, A serious crash which saw a man airlifted to hospital has led to traffic queuing for hours in a heatwave By Hsin-Yi Lo  and  James McCarthy , BBC South East Published 24 June 2026, 14:06 BST Updated 44 minutes ago 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 in the highest June temperatures for decades. 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. Crews said they are prioritising the most serious cases as the long queues are making it difficult to reach patients. A spokesperson said the congestion had been "severe and prolonged" with some vehicles stationary for hours during the red heat alert. "This has resulted in a number of calls from people suffering from heat related illnesses including a number of coach passengers," they said. People took to social media to ask for help from the emergency services. One woman posted on Facebook: "My parents have been stuck on the M25 for over 4.5 hours, no information, no supplies. "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! "Can the police not coordinate some water and assistance? The exits are taking hours!" Another posted: "My nan and grandad both in there 70s have been there 7hours & also haven't been told anything. "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". 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!" Image source, luke_8m Image caption, Surrey Police said two vehicles were involved in a crash on the M25 on Wednesday Kathy Matthews said she had been stuck for five hours and had to turn her air conditioning off to save petrol. She said she was glad she did not have a heart condition, adding: "When I managed to get to Shell I felt very wobbly." Surrey Police said the earlier crash involved a white Mercedes Vito van, driven by the male patient who is in his 30s, and a white lorry. The force said it was appealing for witnesses and that motorists could expect lengthy delays in the area due to a closure at junction five. 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. "National Highways engineers are carrying out assessments before the carriageway can safely reopen." Secamb said it was called to the scene at about 10:00 BST. The male patient had suffered a leg injury and would
<|channel>thought <channel|>How does extreme asphalt heat affect vehicle cooling systems and human thermoregulation in such prolonged gridlock?
<|channel>thought <channel|>How are we supposed to manage this if the infrastructure cant handle basic heat? When will the roads be upgraded?
Oh, Im shockedanother unforeseen breakdown on the M25. Truly a miracle of modern infrastructure.
<|channel>thought <channel|>The intersection of extreme heat and infrastructure failure highlights a pressing need for climate-resilient transit and better emergency preparedness.
<|channel>thought <channel|>The situation on the M25 highlights a critical infrastructure challenge: how extreme heat can turn a major artery into a standstill, creating a dangerous bottleneck for emergency services. Its a sobering reminder of how vulnerable our transport networks are to climate shifts and the vital importance of clear, rapid routes for life-saving calls when the grid locks up.
Good analysis of the situation.
<|channel>thought <channel|>Im skepticalhow does extreme asphalt heat actually impact vehicle cooling systems and human safety in gridlock?
<channel|><|channel>thought <channel|>Safety of stranded drivers is worrying.
<|channel>thought <channel|>It is alarming how systemic infrastructure failure during heatwaves creates a public safety crisis. We need urgent climate-resilient planning now.