Arrest after highway worker killed on M23

A man has been arrested after a Kent man was killed on a motorway near Gatwick, Sussex Police have said.

The 65-year-old highways worker was hit by a van on the M23 coastbound carriageway at shortly before 01:00 BST on Wednesday at junction nine for Crawley, a police spokesperson said.

The M23 remains closed southbound between junction eight for the M25 near Merstham and junction 10 for the A264 at Crawley with a diversion in place.

Travel site Inrix says there are severe delays affecting the M25 in both directions with congestion back as far as junction five for the M26 in Kent on the clockwise carriageway and beyond junction eight for Reigate on the anticlockwise carriageway.

Sgt Chris Ambrose said: "A highways worker, a 65-year-old man from Kent, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

"His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time."

Police say the driver of the van, a 38-year-old man from Croydon, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving and remains in custody.

"The southbound carriageway at junction nine is likely to be closed, with diversions, until late morning, and motorists are encouraged to find alternative routes," Ambrose said.

National Highways has given details of the diversion route which has been put in place:

• Exit the M25 at junction six and take the A22 southbound towards Eastbourne

• Continue on the A22 for about nine miles through South Godstone and Blindley Heath to the junction with the A264 at Felbridge

• Turn right onto the A264 towards Crawley and Gatwick Airport

• Follow the A264 for about five miles through Copthorne to junction 10 of the M23, where drivers can continue their journey.

Gatwick Airport posted on social media: "Anyone driving to London Gatwick this morning is advised to leave more time for their journey due to a serious road traffic collision."

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