Heart-stopping moment Tesco lorry swerves then erupts into a fireball on the M25 while desperate motorists slam on their breaks
- The fire started between Clacket Lane and Junction 6 at around 10pm on Sunday
This is the heart-stopping moment a swerving Tesco[3] lorry exploded into a raging fireball on the M25, forcing drivers to urgently slam their brakes on Britain's busiest motorway.
Astonishing dashcam footage shows a driver and passenger calmly chatting and listening to music when the Tesco lorry in front of them bursts into a terrifying inferno.
The lorry could be seen veering off to seemingly exit the junction when it suddenly exploded into flames and swung back across the three lanes on the M25.
The shocking incident took place on the motorway between Junction 5, near Sevenoaks, and Junction 6, near Godstone, Surrey, at 10.15pm on Sunday.
Anthony Moc, the driver who filmed the dashcam footage, was among the motorists who were forced to come to an emergency stop as they narrowly avoided colliding with the burning vehicle.
He and the passenger were left shell-shocked as their car came to an abrupt stop, with both only able to muster the words: 'What the f***?'
Dashcam footage shows the motorist calmly driving behind the Tesco lorry on the M25 on Sunday night
Seconds later, the Tesco lorry veers into another lane and explodes into a raging inferno
Motorists following the Tesco lorry were forced to slam the brakes on to avoid a horror crash
Recovery services at the scene on the M25 motorway between Junction 5 in Kent and Junction 6 in Surrey on Monday after the Tesco lorry fire
The Tesco lorry driver fortunately survived the blast and escaped with minor injuries, police said.
Mr Moc told KentOnline after the crash that he thinks the lorry was trying to take the exit for Clacket Lane services at the last minute.
'He smashed into the barrier and there was a big ball of fire,' the 29-year-old said.
'I was panicked and a bit scared. This was the first time I had seen any sort of accident while driving.
'I was worried the lorry was going to explode.'
Traffic was seen piled up behind the lorry as Surrey Fire and Rescue Service tackled the blaze for 10 hours.
At least five fire engines and two water carriers attended the incident, the fire service confirmed on Sunday night.
Another video showed the large Tesco lorry completely engulfed in flames as huge plumes of smoke rise into the air from the burning vehicle.
Rescue crews try and repair the damage after the Tesco lorry burst into flames on the M25
Footage shows the traffic jam caused by the major fire on the M25 between Clacket Lane and J6
A Tesco lorry erupted into a massive fireball at Clacket Lane services on the M25 on Sunday
The incident occurred shortly after 10pm on Sunday night and has prompted a major emergency response
The burned out shell of the lorry after the intense blaze on Sunday night
At least five fire engines and two water carriers attended the major incident
At least five fire engines and two water carriers attended the large fire on Sunday night
Video footage shows cars in standstill as they wait behind the huge blaze on the motorway
In an update at 8pm on Monday, National Highways said the remains of the lorry had been cleared and resurfacing work could begin on the most damaged section of the motorway.
It had said the closure of the M25 clockwise between junction five near Sevenoaks and junction six near Godstone, Surrey, was likely to remain in place on Monday.
References
- ^ Arthur Parashar (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Katherine Lawton (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Tesco (www.dailymail.co.uk)