M25 Rickmansworth crash: long delays back to Watford

Drivers face up to 90-minute delays tailing back towards Watford after the collision at around 7am between junctions 17 for Rickmansworth and 16 for the M40.

A van which was involved in the multi-vehicle crash this morning. (Image: Thames Valley Police) National Highways have now confirmed that all the southbound lanes have reopened but the congestion is yet to clear.

• Multi-vehicle crash closes three lanes on M25 - live updates
• Driver runs from scene of crash as car revealed to have false plates

The driver of a Ford Transit van has been reported for careless driving after he drove into the back of a recovery lorry.

A Ford Transit drove into the rear of a recovery lorry. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

In a post online, a spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "It is miracle no one was seriously injured. The passengers were on holiday and not in the van."

All lanes are now open on the #M25 anti-clockwise between J17 #Rickmansworth & J16 #M40 following the earlier collision

Delays of 90 minutes & approx. 7 miles of congestion remain on approach, please allow extra time for your journey's if travelling through the area this morning pic.twitter.com/emqPKI3R47

— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) July 22, 2024

Photos from police show how the Transit van wedged itself onto lorry's rear platform, crumpling the front windscreen and passenger side, and causing the mini-digger on a trailer towed behind to fall off onto the road.

The TVP spokesperson added: "The importance of not being distracted whilst driving is clearly shown in this picture. Remember to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicles in front and don’t be distracted."

Photos of the scene taken at 7.20am (left) and 8.04am (right.) (Image: National Highways)