Private ambulance overturns and Mercedes catches fire in major West Sussex incident

The collision happened shortly after 7.30am on Saturday, June 27, on the A23 northbound at Pease Pottage. The incident, at Junction 11 of the M23, forced the closure of the northbound carriageway for around three hours while emergency services dealt with the aftermath.

The ambulance reportedly rolled onto its roof following the impact, while the Mercedes SUV caught fire. No one was seriously injured and there was no patient being carried in the ambulance at the time.

Traffic disruption

National Highways said the M23 northbound was closed, within Junction 11 at Crawley, following the collision, with recovery teams arriving on scene while the overturned vehicle was cleared.

In a social media update just after 9am, National Highways: South-East said: “The #M23 in #WestSussex is closed northbound within J11 #Crawley due to a collision. Vehicle recovery is now on scene. Traffic is being diverted via the exit and entry slip roads. Current delays of 10 minutes on approach, with one mile of congestion.”

The AA reported that the incident involved a rolled-over vehicle on the northbound carriageway at Junction 11 (A23 Pease Pottage), warning of severe delays on the A23 northbound between Handcross and Junction 11 as traffic approached the diversion route. Drivers travelling towards Crawley and Gatwick Airport were advised to allow extra time.

The M23 northbound was later fully reopened, around 12pm, although delays of around ten minutes and one mile of congestion remained on approach.

Emergency response

The South East Coast Ambulance Service, NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that no one required hospital treatment.

A spokesperson said: “We received a call at about 7.30am today following reports of a two vehicle RTC on the M23 between junctions 11 and 10A. We sent an ambulance to the scene. The incident involved a car and a private patient transport vehicle. No one was taken to hospital.”

Crews from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service joined the emergency response.

A spokesperson said: “We were called at 7.33am this morning to reports of a road traffic collision on the M23 northbound at junction 11 involving multiple vehicles. Joint Fire Control mobilised four fire engines to the scene. Upon arrival firefighters were faced with a collision involving a car and a private patient transport vehicle.

"The M23 northbound was closed to allow emergency service staff to work safely.”

The last crew left the scene at 9.15am.

Investigation continues

A Sussex Police statement read: “Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision on the A23 at Pease Pottage involving a private ambulance and Mercedes SUV on Saturday morning, June 27.

“The collision happened just after 7.30am, leading to the closure of the A23 northbound carriageway but this was partially opened three hours later.

“The ambulance had rolled on to its roof and the car caught fire but no one was seriously injured. There was not a patient in the ambulance at the time.

“Anyone who witnessed a grey Mercedes SUV being driven from Brighton ahead of the collision is asked to contact police.”

Officers are asking for anyone who witnessed a grey Mercedes SUV being driven from Brighton before the crash, or anyone with dashcam footage, to contact Sussex Police via [email protected], quoting serial 336 of 27/06.