London travel news: Man killed in serious crash on M23 as traffic blocked into south London

A man has been killed on the M23 after being involved in a crash while out of his car in a layby.

Surrey Police were called to the M23 shortly before 6.30am on Sunday, following reports of a collision in a layby involving the driver of an Audi and the driver of a VW, who was out of his vehicle at the time of the collision.

Emergency services rushed to the stretch of the motorway around Merstham between Junction 8 (where it joins the M25) and Junction 7 for the A23 and Croydon.

A man in his 50s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed, police said.

A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The M23 northbound carriageway was closed for several hours between J8 and J7. There were also closures in place on the A23 northbound between Glebe Road and Dean Lane.

Police are now looking for any information that could assist our investigation.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “We are particularly interested in the movements of a purple Audi Q4 immediately prior to the collision.

“Were you in the area around the A23 and M23 between J8 and J7 this morning shortly before 6.30am? Did you witness the collision, or do you have any CCTV, dashcam or helmet cam footage that may assist our enquiries? Please get in touch with any information quoting PR/45250100767.”

Surrey Police previously told drivers to avoid the area while the accident is being investigated and to use alternative routes where possible.

National Highways shut the M23/A23 between the M25 Junction 8 (Reigate Hill) and the A237 (Coulsdon).

A spokesperson for Surrey Police told the BBC "no re-opening time is currently available".

Traffic is being diverted via alternative routes.