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M25 'catastrophic' crash near Waltham Abbey leaves one dead M25 'catastrophic' crash near Waltham Abbey leaves one dead
(about 2 hours later)
One person died and a number of people were left trapped in vehicles after a "catastrophic" crash on the M25 in Essex.One person died and a number of people were left trapped in vehicles after a "catastrophic" crash on the M25 in Essex.
The motorway was closed in both directions after four lorries and a car crashed near Waltham Abbey, at about 01:50 GMT. The motorway was closed for more than 12 hours in both directions after four lorries and a car crashed near Waltham Abbey, at about 01:50 GMT.
A man, believed to be 39 years old and from Leicester, died at the scene.A man, believed to be 39 years old and from Leicester, died at the scene.
Ch Insp Jonathan Baldwin, of Essex Police, said it was a "catastrophic scene of carnage".Ch Insp Jonathan Baldwin, of Essex Police, said it was a "catastrophic scene of carnage".
Essex Police said the motorway would remain closed while clean up and repair work was carried out.
Four people were taken to hospital with injuries "which are not believed to be serious", the force said.Four people were taken to hospital with injuries "which are not believed to be serious", the force said.
The Highways Agency said the road was closed between junctions 23 and 27 clockwise, and junctions 27 and 25 anti-clockwise. The Highways Agency said two lanes have opened in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, and the road has fully reopened between junctions 23 and 25. Some speed restrictions are in place.
BBC Essex reporter Stuart Woodward said traffic was "bumper to bumper for at least 10 miles" on the A414, from Norton Heath towards the M11, as people tried to find an alternative route. It said a lorry had crashed into the central reservation and collided with vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.
Insp Dick Thomas said: "We have one confirmed fatality and a number of people who [were] trapped in their vehicles. Earlier, Insp Dick Thomas said: "We have one confirmed fatality and a number of people who [were] trapped in their vehicles.
"There is debris across both sides of the M25 and the motorway will be closed for the foreseeable future, while we deal with this collision and begin our investigations to establish what has happened. "There is debris across both sides of the M25 and the motorway will be closed for the foreseeable future, while we deal with this collision and begin our investigations to establish what has happened."
"Nothing will be moving around this portion of the M25 for some considerable time, and the morning rush hour is likely to be affected." BBC Essex reporter Stuart Woodward said traffic was "bumper to bumper for at least 10 miles" on the A414, from Norton Heath towards the M11, as people tried to find an alternative route during the morning.
There was a second serious crash in Essex shortly after 07:30, on the A120 near Coggeshall.There was a second serious crash in Essex shortly after 07:30, on the A120 near Coggeshall.
Essex Police initially announced that someone had died, but the force later said the woman was cut free from her vehicle and taken to hospital.Essex Police initially announced that someone had died, but the force later said the woman was cut free from her vehicle and taken to hospital.
"She is not believed to be in a life-threatening condition," a spokesman said."She is not believed to be in a life-threatening condition," a spokesman said.