A major collision has forced the closure of the M40 motorway in both directions between junctions 12 and 13, near Gaydon and Ashorne, on Tuesday evening. Emergency services remain on the scene as authorities respond to what witnesses have described as a “huge accident.”
The incident occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m., prompting a large-scale emergency response from Warwickshire Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, and local fire crews. The motorway has been completely shut down to allow rescue and recovery operations to proceed safely.
One eyewitness, who was traveling northbound at the time, described the crash as “a huge accident which happened just in front of me,” adding, “I hope everyone gets out alive.”
In a statement issued around 8:30 p.m., Warwickshire Police confirmed the closure, saying:
“Emergency services are currently in attendance on the M40 between junctions 12-13 following a collision. Both sides of the carriageway are currently closed, and closures are likely to be in place throughout the evening.”
Traffic has been brought to a complete standstill in both directions, with long delays building as motorists are being diverted via local routes. Highways teams are urging drivers to avoid the area entirely and to seek alternate routes if possible.
At this stage, authorities have not confirmed the number of vehicles involved or whether there have been any injuries or fatalities. The scale of the response, however, suggests that the collision may be serious.
Motorists already on the motorway are being asked to remain in their vehicles and follow police instructions while emergency personnel work to clear the scene.
Warwickshire Police and National Highways are expected to provide further updates as more details become available.
This is a developing story, and more information will be shared as soon as it is confirmed by official sources.
