A private patient transport vehicle rolled onto its roof and a Mercedes SUV caught fire following a two-vehicle collision on the M23 northbound at Pease Pottage on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The incident occurred shortly after 7:30 a. m.
at Junction 11 near Crawley, forcing the closure of the northbound carriageway for approximately three hours and causing severe traffic delays toward Gatwick Airport.
No serious injuries were reported from the crash, and the private ambulance was not carrying any patients at the time of the accident, according to statements from emergency services.
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust dispatched an ambulance to the scene and confirmed that no individuals required transportation to the hospital.
“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,” said a spokesperson for the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service deployed four fire engines to manage the vehicle fire and collision aftermath, with the final crew departing the site at 9:15 a.
m.
“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,” said a spokesperson for the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
National Highways and the AA reported that the road fully reopened around 12:00 p. m.
, though minor residual congestion remained on approach.
Sussex Police have launched an appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage, specifically targeting anyone who observed the grey Mercedes SUV traveling from Brighton prior to the incident.
“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,” stated Sussex Police.
In a separate, unrelated incident reported by Sussex Police on the same day, a 17-year-old boy from Eastbourne died and three men were seriously injured in a two-car collision on Beachy Head Road on Friday evening, June 26, 2026.
“Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenage boy sadly died in a collision at Beachy Head on Friday evening (26 June).
The collision, involving a blue VW Golf and a white VW Polo, happened near a layby by Shooters Bottom car park at Beachy Head just before 9.30pm.
A passenger in one of the cars, a boy, aged 17, from Eastbourne, was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene.
Two other men in the car, a 19-year-old man, from Polegate, and a 21-year-old man, from Hellingly, were seriously injured.
The driver of the other car, a man, aged 21, from Eastbourne, was also seriously injured,” stated Sussex Police regarding the Beachy Head incident.
The Serious Collision Investigation Unit is actively seeking video footage from anyone who was present in the Beachy Head area during the fatal crash.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with those involved and their families.
We are aware there were a number of people in the area at the time of the collision and we would ask anyone who hasn’t spoken to us or has any video or dashcam footage to get in touch.
Please email collision. appeal@sussex.
police. uk, quoting Operation Nashville,” said Detective Sergeant Ian Foxton.
