M11 traffic LIVE: Huge crash leaves motorway closed with severe delays

A serious crash involving several vehicles closed a busy stretch of motorway today. Two cars and a van collided at around 10.30am this morning, says National Highways. The M11 is closed southbound between Junction 7 for Harlow and Junction 6 for the M25.

Emergency services are on the scene alongside National Highways traffic officers. Our live blog has now closed.

14:36KEY EVENT

Two people rushed to hospital

A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service confirmed two people were taken to hospital following this morning's crash. They said: "We were called just after 10.15am to a road traffic collision on the southbound M11 in between junctions 7 and 6.

"Two ambulances were sent to the scene and transported two patients to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for further assessment and treatment."

14:22Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Long delays still reported

Traffic is slow on the M11 this afternoon following the earlier crash. There are long delays, travellers have been warned, following the multi-vehicle smash earlier.

13:28KEY EVENT

Two lanes re-open

Two lanes have now re-opened after a crash on the M11 this morning. The incident involved a van and two cars.

Emergency services are working to clear the final lane, which remains closed.

12:50Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Images show extent of tailbacks

The multi-vehicle crash has caused 'severe delays' (National Highways)12:18KEY EVENT

National Highways issues statement

National Highways are at the scene of a multiple vehicle crash this morning. They confirm that the incident happened at around 10.20am today. A spokesperson for National Highways said: "The M11 in Essex is closed southbound, between J7 (Harlow) and J6 (for the M25) following a multiple collision which was reported at 10:20am.

"Two cars and a van are involved in the collision with the carriageway closed to allow the emergency services to work safely at the scene.

"National Highways Traffic Officers are also on scene providing assistance with traffic management."

12:12Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Diversons put in place

National Highways say diversions are now in place.

• Exit the M11 southbound at J7 onto Hastingwood Interchange
• At the interchange, take the 2nd exit at the roundabout onto the A414 London Road (signposted Harlow)
• Continue on the A414 for 10.5 miles until the A10 interchange
• At the interchange, take the 1st exit onto the A10 southbound (signposted Hoddesdon/Cheshunt/London)
• Continue for 7 miles until the M25 interchange
• At the roundabout, take the 1st exit to join the M25 clockwise
• Continue until J27 and then take the 2nd exit to re-join the M11 southbound at J6

12:07Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Where the crash happened

There's travel chaos in the area11:59Sam Elliott-Gibbs

What stretch is closed?

The M11 southbound is shut between junction 7 and junction 6.

Two cars and a van crashed at around 10.20am today.