Several people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash that brought severe delays and prompted a response from emergency services on the M25 near Staines on Monday (October 18).

News of the crash broke across social media on Monday afternoon, with long queues between Junctions 13 and 14 reported.

Surrey Road Policing Unit (RPU), who attended, said that the crash was "multi-vehicle" and that it temporarily forced the blocking of "all lanes" on the busy section of the motorway between Staines and Heathrow Airport.

Around 2.27pm the Surrey RPU wrote: "#M25 #Heathrow J14 -> #Staines J13 currently held due to a multi vehicle collision. All lanes blocked and emergency services are enroute - Please find an alternative route if possible."

A spokesperson for Surrey Police told the Surrey Comet that several people had been injured in the crash: 

"We were called following reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the anti-clockwise carriageway of junction 14 of the M25 at Staines-upon-Thames around 2:14pm today (18 October). A number of people have been injured in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing.

"The carriageway remains partially closed but is expected to reopen fully soon. We would like to thank motorists for their patience while we dealt with this incident. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or with any other information, is asked to contact us on 101, quoting incident reference PR/P21224747." 

A later update by associated RPU showed a badly damaged vehicle on its side in the middle of several lanes on the motorway, with emergency service personnel and debris visible nearby.

A spokesperson for Surrey RPU said around 3.30pm that at least one lane had reopened, adding that there was congestion in the other direction due to "rubber necking", when drivers slow down to look at what they are passing.

"#M25 from Junction 14 towards 13 is down to 1 lane as @HighwaysSEAST clear the other 4 lanes following this incident. Congestion in the other direction is simply down to rubber knecking. #watchtheroad."

Highways England (National Highways) wrote: "#M25 anti-clockwise #J14 to #J13 -Traffic released in lane 5. Lanes 1, 2, 3 and 4 remain closed. There are long delays of at least 45 minutes above usual journey times between J16 (#M40) and J13 (#Staines / #Windsor). Please bear in mind if travelling to @HeathrowAirport."

South-east Coast Ambulance Service were contacted for comment.