Motorists were treated for heat-related illnesses after becoming stranded for hours in severe traffic congestion on the M25 motorway during a red heat alert.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) responded to multiple patients between junctions six and seven near Godstone, where a section of the motorway was closed following a collision involving a van and a lorry. One man was airlifted to a hospital.
Crews prioritized the most critical cases, facing difficulties reaching patients due to the prolonged queues. A Secamb spokesperson noted that the severe and lasting congestion led to numerous calls from individuals suffering from heat-related conditions, including passengers on coaches.
Some individuals stranded in the traffic appealed for assistance on social media. Folkestone and Hythe MP Tony Vaughan urged police and highway teams to address the situation urgently, stating that people needed water and potentially evacuation. He highlighted a constituent who had been stationary for eight hours in 40-degree (Celsius) heat with her children and was running low on water. Vaughan also noted that someone from a nearby car had been airlifted to a hospital with dehydration.
Another social media post detailed parents stuck for over 4.5 hours with no information or supplies, amidst concerns for elderly people, babies, animals, and individuals with health conditions. The post questioned why police could not coordinate water and assistance, as people were experiencing significant delays exiting the motorway.
One traveler reported being stuck in the congestion from 10:15 a.m., experiencing a minor collision when another driver collapsed at the wheel due to heatstroke. This traveler expressed gratitude to the emergency crews for their efforts and to other drivers who provided water and ice. Meteorological reports indicate these conditions occurred during some of the highest June temperatures recorded in decades.