M25 closed: Woman killed in horrific crash between van and three cars after police chase
Traffic cameras showed the queuing traffic on the M25
Highways England
A woman has died after a collision following a police chase on a busy motorway.
Accident investigation work is underway after the crash is believed to have involved a car and a van on the M25.
Work is currently taking place between J21A for the A405 North Orbital Road (St Albans) and J22 A1081 (St Albans / London Colney).
Disruption is expected throughout the rest of the day in both directions.
The Motorway was closed in both directions
Highways England
In a statement, Hertfordshire police said: "The M25 remains closed between junctions 22 (London Colney) and 21A (North Orbital Road/St Albans) following a collision at around 4am this morning.
"Officers were in pursuit of a van before the van was involved in a collision with three other vehicles. No police vehicles were involved in the collision and the pursuit had been stood down prior to the collision.
"A woman has sadly passed away and her family are being supported by specially trained officers.
"As a matter of course, the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
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Stretches of the M25 have been left completely empty this morning
National Highways
"Diversion - using the A414 past Saint Albans and London Colney with Anticlockwise following the hollow square symbols and Clockwise following the hollow triangle symbols which is very slow."
The IOPC says it has sent investigators to the scene to gather information for it's investigation which is says is in its "early stages". A forensic investigation is also underway.
In a statement the watchdog said: "We are investigating the police actions prior to a fatal road traffic collision on the M25 earlier today.
"We sent our investigators to the scene and to the post incident procedure to begin the process of gathering information. Our investigation is in the very early stages."
More to come...