M23 accident: 34 people injured in horror 15 cars pile up during rush hour and leave the road ‘covered in rubble’
34 people have been injured after a HORROR 15 car pile-up on the M23.
Emergency services arrived to the terrifying crash nearby Pease Pottage, between J10 and J11 around 5.40 pm.
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According to a witness, there had been a hail storm in the minutes leading up to the crash with “two inches of ice” on the roads.
The entire roadway was reportedly covered in rubble.
Vans, cars and a minibus were turned upside down and laid on their sides.
An air ambulance was on site and several injured people were walking around the scene of the accident.
Eyewitness Siena was driving with her boyfriend at the time and told The Sun: “It had rained heavily and then the road was suddenly full of ice.
“My friend hit the brakes and there were a lot of cars stopped, we skidded a bit.
“Then all I saw was smoke and cars driving through the rubble, there were cars on the side that had turned around, people crawling out of cars.
“There were a few cars with people sitting together, obviously someone was injured.
“We passed by a few minutes after it happened. We saw vans and taxis fall over.
“There were injured people, people in shock, crying, people waiting for help.
“Every car was definitely quite damaged. There were about 100 yards of cars everywhere.
“We were in shock. Everyone was. It was hard to watch. In most of the cars the airbags had gone off and they had a significant amount of damage. The roads were covered in ice.
“I saw a van with the entire windshield shattered and off the car.”
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said earlier this evening: “The M23 is closed in both directions between J10 and J11 following a collision involving around 15 vehicles.
“Emergency services were called at 5.40pm and the ambulance service is treating several victims.
“Avoid the area and expect disruption. Thank you for your patience.”
In an update, a spokesperson said: “The southbound carriageway of the M23 has reopened following a collision involving multiple vehicles.
“Northbound intersections 10 and 11 remain closed.
“Around 34 people are being treated by ambulance service, with no life-threatening injuries. Continue to avoid the area.”
Roger Williams said ITV Meridian: “More than 30 vehicles must have been destroyed.
“There are vans on their sides, a minivan upside down.
“I counted five looking the wrong way after a bend, but the entire carriageway was covered in rubble.
“There was a hailstorm. The roadway was covered in two inches of ice and people were driving through it at high speed.”
West Sussex Fire and Rescue confirmed: “We are currently attending an RTC involving multiple vehicles between junctions 10 and 11 of the M23 at Pease Pottage. Please avoid the area.”
“The M23 northbound carriageway, just north of junction 11, is closed. Find alternate routes,” a spokesperson wrote in an update.
Delays have now also been reported on the A2011 as motorists avoid the scene.
A spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “We remain at the scene of a multi-vehicle RTC on the M23 between junctions 10 and 11.
“We are assessing and treating multiple victims and are urging people to avoid the area.”