Motorists and travelers across West Sussex faced major disruption on Thursday morning, April 2, 2026, after a serious single-vehicle collision forced the closure of the M23 northbound between junction 10 at Crawley and junction 9 near London Gatwick Airport. The incident, which occurred in the early hours, brought a crucial transport artery to a standstill, affecting not just commuters but also those heading to one of the UK’s busiest airports.
According to the BBC, the collision happened at around 5:30 AM GMT, prompting an immediate response from emergency services, including Sussex Police, National Highways officers, and West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. National Highways confirmed that their teams were on the scene, assisting with traffic management and supporting the ongoing emergency response.
Details emerging from multiple sources, including MyLondon and Sussex Express, paint a picture of a chaotic and challenging morning for drivers. The crash involved a car carrying two men and a woman, which collided with the central reservation and subsequently struck a tree. Sussex Police, in a statement cited by Sussex Express, explained, “Emergency services responded after a car, carrying two men and a woman and travelling north, was in collision with the central reservation and a tree.” The severity of the crash meant that the northbound carriageway would be “closed for a number of hours while the investigation continues,” police added.
The impact of the closure was felt almost immediately. By 9:00 AM, delays of over two hours were reported, with congestion extending as far back as junction 10a for Crawley South and Balcombe. The AA Traffic News reported severe delays of 150 minutes on the M23 northbound between junction 11 at Pease Pottage and junction 9 at Gatwick Airport, with average speeds dropping to a crawl—just five miles per hour in some sections. Even nearby routes, such as the A23 Airport Way northbound, saw delays as traffic spilled over onto alternative roads.
National Highways advised drivers to follow a carefully planned diversion route to avoid the worst of the congestion. The recommended detour involved exiting the M23 at junction 10, taking the A264 eastbound, joining the A22 north, continuing to the M25 at junction 6, and then rejoining the M23 at junction 7. “If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey,” National Highways cautioned, as quoted by Sussex Express.
For those already caught in the snarl, the situation was especially frustrating. Traffic was barely moving, and some drivers were seen out of their vehicles as emergency crews worked to clear the scene and redirect motorists. Inrix, a traffic monitoring service cited by MyLondon, reported that “drivers are now being turned around from the rear of the queues,” as trapped vehicles were methodically escorted back to junction 10 in Crawley. The knock-on effect was felt not just on the main motorway but also on feeder roads and throughout the surrounding area, including long delays from Manor Royal in Crawley.
Travelers heading to Gatwick Airport were among those most affected, as the closure of the northbound M23 cut off a primary route to the terminals. The disruption was particularly acute for early-morning flights, with many passengers forced to seek last-minute alternatives or risk missing their departures. The situation was compounded by the uncertainty over when the road would reopen. While National Highways initially indicated that the M23 northbound was expected to fully reopen around 11:00 AM, they emphasized that this was “subject to change,” given the ongoing accident investigation and recovery work.
Emergency services, meanwhile, worked tirelessly through the morning. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service joined the response, issuing a statement shortly after 6:00 AM: “The M23 northbound is closed between Junction 10 for Crawley and Junction 9 for Gatwick. The closure is likely to be in place for several hours. Please avoid the area.” Sussex Police echoed this message and appealed for public assistance, asking anyone who witnessed the crash or had dashcam footage to come forward, referencing Operation Dorset. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as emergency services remain at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.
Photos from the scene, published by BBC and MyLondon, showed a heavy emergency presence, with police and National Highways vehicles blocking access to the affected section of motorway. Stationary traffic stretched for miles, and the normally bustling link to Gatwick Airport was eerily still. Officers could be seen managing the flow of vehicles and coordinating with other agencies to ensure the safety of both motorists and responders.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. According to AA Traffic News and Inrix, the car “left the road and hit a tree” at around 5:15 AM, although the full circumstances have yet to be determined. Accident investigation work continued throughout the morning, with the priority being both the collection of evidence and the safe clearance of the wreckage.
For local residents and regular users of the M23, Thursday’s events were a stark reminder of how swiftly travel plans can be upended by a serious incident. Businesses in Crawley and the wider Gatwick area also braced for knock-on effects, as the flow of goods and people was disrupted for much of the morning.
By late morning, there was cautious optimism that the worst of the disruption might soon be over. National Highways updated the public, stating that normal road conditions should resume soon after the anticipated reopening, but they continued to urge caution and patience. Delays, they warned, might linger as traffic cleared and the backlog dissipated.
As the investigation continues, Sussex Police and other agencies will be reviewing all available evidence to determine what led to the crash. In the meantime, their focus remains on ensuring the safety of all road users and restoring normalcy as quickly as possible. The incident serves as a sobering example of the unpredictable nature of road travel and the critical role played by emergency services in responding to such events.
For now, drivers are advised to check the latest updates before setting out, heed diversion signs, and allow extra time for their journeys. The hope across West Sussex is that, with the road soon to reopen, travel can return to its usual rhythm—though for some, Thursday’s ordeal won’t be quickly forgotten.