Police closed the M25 between junctions 8 and 9 for a serious crash this afternoon.

The collision involved a van and two cars on the anti-clockwise carriageway between junction 9 at Leatherhead and junction 8 at Reigate. 

One person in the traffic said a driver was critically injured and the road was being taped off for investigations. The injured driver was taken to hospital. 

A photograph shows a badly damaged silver car between traffic cones in the middle of the road.

Speed limits were set at 40mph following the crash. Delays were going back nearly as far as junction 10 where the A3 joins the M25 south of Cobham.

Witnesses stuck in the traffic have reported seeing five fire engines, three ambulances and four police cars.

Two others said they had seen a bomb disposal truck driving along the hard shoulder towards the crash, although Surrey Police said it was on its way to an unconnected incident.

Police said a silver Vauxhall Astra, a black Renault Megane and an HGV were involved in the crash at 2.15pm. 

At 5pm, a police spokeswoman said: "The driver of the Astra was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting with serious injuries.

"No one else was injured as a result of the collision; however, all three vehicles suffered substantial damage.

"The anti-clockwise carriageway remains closed while emergency services deal with the incident and motorists caught up in the delays are asked to remain patient."

A Highways England spokesman said it did not have any indication of when the motorway would re-open but would be led by the police investigation.

Highways Agency statistics show that in 2013, 139,533 vehicles a day were recorded driving past a single point on the M25 near junction 9.

Anyone with information about the crash should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference P15168608. For updates visit www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/traffic