A person has been confirmed dead and three others rushed to hospital following a serious collision on the A316 near Twickenham Bridge.
The major collision is causing severe delays on west London roads.
A stretch of the M25 has also been closed for hours after two separate lorry fires.
The motorway is shut anti-clockwise in Essex between Junction 28, for Brentwood, and Junction 27, for Epping, following a lorry fire.
A second lorry fire has also shut the M25 between Junction 27, which links to the M11, and Junction 26 near Waltham Abbey, causing travel misery for commuters.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
Full police statement
20:24 , Tom Place
The Metropolitan police have released a statement following the A316 crash.
A spokesperson for the Met said: "On Tuesday, 16 June at 14:32hrs police were called to reports of a serious collision between two cars on Twickenham Bridge.
"Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a 74-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
"Two women, aged 82 and 74, were taken to hospital. Their injuries have since been assessed as life-threatening. No arrests have been made and an investigation is underway."
Met confirm death of 74-year-old man
19:42 , Tom Place
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that a 74-year-old man died at the scene of the crash near Twickenham Bridge this afternoon.
We will update you once the Met release further information.
The scene of the A316 crash
18:43 , Alastair Lockhart
A316 incident update
18:07 , Tom Place
It has been confirmed that one person has lost their life following the incident on the A316 earlier today.
A London Ambulance Spokesperson said: “We were called at 2:31pm today (Tuesday, June 16) to reports of a road traffic collision on Twickenham Bridge, Twickenham.
"We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer. We also dispatched paramedics from our hazardous area response team and London’s Air Ambulance.
"We treated a patient but sadly, despite our best efforts they were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other patients were treated at the scene and taken to a major trauma centre as a priority”.
Major incident on A316
17:28 , Tom Place
The A316 is closed in both directions after a serious collision earlier this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to a serious road traffic collision on the A316 at St Margarets, prior to Twickenham Bridge, at around 2.30pm.
Pictures from the scene show two heavily damaged vehicles, with debris scattered across several lanes of the carriageway.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes where possible.
Latest from National Highways
16:41 , Tom Place
3 (of 4) lanes remain closed on the #M25 anticlockwise between J27 #Epping & J26 #WalthamAbbey
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) June 16, 2026
Emergency resurfacing takes place this evening under a full closure from approximately 22:00.
Delays are building. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey. pic.twitter.com/zI1Uieia3A
Diversion route advised
16:09 , Tom Place
Those who would normally be travelling anti-clockwise between J28 and J26 will need to use alternate routes for the rest of the day.
Due to long-term roadworks at Gallows Corner, the usual diversion for this closure cannot be used.
As such, people have been advised to use the route below:
- At J28: Exit the M25 onto the A12 eastbound.
- Continue along the A12 eastbound towards J15.
- Exit the A12 at J15 onto the A414 northbound towards Chelmsford.
- At the Widford roundabout, take the first exit and continue on the A414 westbound.
- Continue along the A414 westbound to J7 of the M11.
- Take the first exit onto the M11 southbound at J7.
- Exit the M11 onto the A406 westbound and continue for approximately 6 miles to the junction with the A10.
- Take the A10 northbound to rejoin the M25 at J25.
Incident caused by crash between two HGVs
15:38 , Tom Place
National Highways have confirmed that a collision between two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) caused the fire on the M25 today.
A National Highways statement read: "The M25 in Essex is closed anti-clockwise between J28 and J27 due to a collision involving two heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), resulting in one of the vehicles catching fire.
"Emergency services, including Essex Police initially attended the scene. National Highways Traffic Officers remain in attendance assisting with traffic management.
"Specialist National Highways contractors are now in attendance carrying out the required clear up works after extensive Essex Police investigative works concluded."
Part of the M25 to remain closed as emergency resurfacing works to take place
15:02 , Megan Howe
Three lanes on the M25 will remain closed for planned emergency resurfacing works.
It comes after two lorry fires between J26 and J28 caused lengthy delays and huge tailbacks this morning.
Resurfacing works will take place this evening from 10pm.
In an update this afternoon, National Rail said: “Emergency resurfacing works on the M25 are set to take place tonight after two lorry fires.
“Lanes 1, 2 and 3 will remain closed on the M25 anticlockwise between J27 Epping & J26 Waltham Abbey.
“Emergency resurfacing takes place this evening under a full closure from approximately 22:00.
“Current delays of 10 minutes on the approach, with 1 mile of congestion.”
One lane on the M25 has now reopened, National Highways says
13:38 , Megan Howe
One lane has now reopened on the M25 anticlockwise between J27 and J26.
A spokesperson for National Rail said: “Lane 4 (of 4) has now reopened on the #M25 anticlockwise between J27 Epping & J26 Waltham Abbey.
“Lanes 1, 2 and 3 remain closed for ongoing carriageway clean up works.
“Currently, no significant delays on the approach.”
'Not known when lanes will reopen,' National Highways says
12:27 , Megan Howe
National Highways said disruption on the M25 is expected to continue, with no indication yet of when lanes will reopen.
The delays follow a collision between two lorries in queuing traffic between Junction 28 (Brentwood) and Junction 27, which caused one of the vehicles to catch fire.
The incident comes after a separate lorry fire earlier near Waltham Abbey in Essex.
Diversions still in place and roads remain closed
11:35 , Megan Howe
There has been no update from National Rail on when the road closures will be lifted.
The M25 is currently closed anti-clockwise between J28 and J27 due to a collision HGVs, resulting in one catching fire.
There is also a full closure between J27 and J26 due to a separate, unrelated incident.
This has effectively closed the M25 between J28 and J26.
Emergency services are still at the scene.
Update: Fire extinguished and contents of HGV being removed, but road remains closed
10:32 , Megan Howe
“Grab lorries are currently in the the process of removing fire damaged contents from the HGV,” a spokesperson for National Highways has said.
“Once this has been completed the HGV will be recovered. This will then be followed by inspections of the carriageway and infrastructure for any fire-related damage.
“Repairs or clean-up may be needed before the road can reopen. At this stage, no reopening time is available, and the closure is expected to remain ongoing for several further hours.
“If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”
Lorry destroyed in M25 fire was carrying parcels, photos show
09:11 , Megan Howe
Photos taken on the M25 this morning show one of the burnt out lorry show hundreds of scorched parcels.
As of 9am, there are still delays of over an hour as traffic is backed up for five miles.
Essex Police describe crash on M25 as 'serious'
09:05 , Megan Howe
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We know this will cause disruption, but this is important work and we’d urge motorists to please find alternative routes.”
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it is supporting Essex Police and National Highways at the scene.
A spokesman said: "Motorists are likely to experience delays and are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.
"We thank motorists for their patience and cooperation."
What diversions can I take?
08:03 , Megan Howe
If you’re travelling on the M25 this morning, here’s a list of the diversions you can take to avoid the travel disruption.
- Exit the M62 westbound at J8.
- At the M62 J8 / Charon Way roundabout, take the second exit onto Burtonwood Road southbound.
- At the Burtonwood Road / Westbrook Way roundabout, take the third exit onto Whittle Avenue southbound.
- At the Whittle Avenue / Malvern Close roundabout, take the third exit onto Lingley Green Avenue westbound, passing through four roundabouts.
- At the Lingley Green Avenue / A57 junction, turn right onto the A57 westbound.
- At the A57 / M62 J7 roundabout, take the second exit to re-join the M62 westbound.
Traffic backed up for five miles on the M25
07:59 , Megan Howe
Drivers approaching the M25 near Epping this morning should be aware there are delays of over 60 minutes, with traffic backed up for five miles.
Essex Police and National Highways are on site to try and ease traffic.
In pictures: Lorry destroyed by fire as parts of M25 remain closed
07:49 , Megan Howe
National Highways has released images of the lorry fire between J27 and J28.
Teams are currently working to recover the HGV and its contents.
Delays of over an hour on approach to the M25 in Epping
07:38 , Megan Howe
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “The #M25 remains closed anticlockwise between J27 #Epping & J26 #WalthamAbbey following a HGV fire.
“Specialist recovery is ongoing to recover the HGV & its contents. Current delays of 72 minutes on approach, with 5 miles of congestion.”
The #M25 remains closed anticlockwise between J27 #Epping & J26 #WalthamAbbey following a HGV fire.
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) June 16, 2026
Specialist recovery is ongoing to recover the HGV & its contents.
Current delays of 72 minutes on approach, with 5 miles of congestion.
Diversion: https://t.co/miWRqK7ncI pic.twitter.com/Xa45HQXQmI
Chunk of M25 closed due to to two separate lorry fires
07:36 , Megan Howe
Commuters travel misery this morning as two separate lorry fires have forced a stretch of the M25 to close.
The motorway has been shut anti-clockwise in Essex between Junction 28 for Brentwood and Junction 27 for Epping following a lorry blaze.
A second fire involving another lorry has also closed the M25 between Junction 27, where it meets the M11, and Junction 26 near Waltham Abbey.
Emergency services, including Essex Police, are at the scene.
Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.
