More than ten people were taken to hospital for heat-related illnesses after being trapped in traffic for up to eight hours on the M25 motorway on Wednesday, the hottest June day on record. Temperatures reached as high as 35.8C (96.4F).

The severe congestion, stretching for five miles, was triggered by a serious collision between a van and a lorry near Godstone shortly after 10 a.m. The crash resulted in a significant oil spillage that damaged approximately 400 meters of the road. A man in his 30s was airlifted to a hospital with a leg injury.

While authorities responded to the crash, drivers experienced prolonged delays, with some reporting a lack of water and communication, contributing to heat-related ailments. South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) stated that the heavy traffic made it challenging for clinicians to reach patients quickly and that they were collaborating with partner agencies to improve access.

One driver was also airlifted to the hospital. A Folkestone and Hythe MP, Tony Vaughan, highlighted the situation after a constituent was stuck in her car with her children for over eight hours, reporting that the temperature inside her vehicle reached 40 degrees Celsius and that she was running out of water. He criticized the response, urging for the implementation of emergency protocols.

Edmund King, commenting on the incident, suggested that a carriageway turnaround and water distribution, similar to responses during snow events on the M11 years prior, should have been implemented. He questioned the availability of crisis management protocols for such situations, despite advising drivers to carry ample water.

Jacquie Obee, who was in traffic from 10:30 a.m. until 7:15 p.m., responded to critics about insufficient water, stating that even with water brought by drivers, it ran out, and it was only after multiple calls that water was distributed around 5 p.m.

Another driver's daughter expressed concern on Facebook, noting her parents had been stranded for over 4.5 hours with no information or supplies, amidst concerns for elderly individuals, babies, and those with health conditions.

Surrey Police appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage of the collision. National Highways confirmed that emergency overnight resurfacing was required due to the road surface damage from the oil spillage. The clearance of the crash site was anticipated between 2:45 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Thursday.