Severe disruption occurred on the M25 on Friday afternoon after a coach caught fire near Leatherhead, leading to major delays, emergency response activity, and multiple hospital assessments.
The incident took place on the anticlockwise carriageway between Junctions 9 and 8 of the M25 motorway at approximately 16:00 BST. The coach was reportedly stationary on the hard shoulder when it became engulfed in flames, sending large plumes of smoke across the motorway and prompting immediate emergency calls.
Emergency services, including Surrey Fire and Rescue units, responded quickly to the scene. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze while ensuring nearby vehicles and passengers were moved to safety. Authorities confirmed that all passengers and the driver were safely evacuated from the vehicle before the fire fully developed.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service deployed multiple crews to assess those involved. In total, eight individuals were taken to hospital for further medical checks as a precautionary measure following smoke exposure and the intensity of the incident. Officials have not reported any life-threatening injuries at this stage.
Eyewitnesses described seeing thick smoke rising from the motorway and passengers being guided away from the coach in an orderly evacuation. One witness reported observing a “train of people” being led away from the burning vehicle while traffic on the motorway came to a standstill.
The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the situation was brought under control and that all individuals involved were accounted for. Fire crews remained on scene to fully extinguish remaining hotspots and ensure the area was safe before reopening affected lanes.
The incident caused significant congestion along one of the UK’s busiest transport routes, with long tailbacks reported in both directions as emergency crews worked at the scene and lanes were temporarily restricted.
Police also assisted in managing traffic flow and ensuring public safety while investigations began into the cause of the coach fire. Early statements indicate that passengers and the driver had safely disembarked prior to the escalation of the blaze.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and an investigation is ongoing. Mechanical failure, electrical fault, or external factors are all expected to be considered as part of the inquiry.
Motorists were advised to avoid the affected stretch of the M25 where possible and to expect delays as recovery and clean-up operations continued. Further updates are expected as investigators review the incident in detail.
