An overturned tarmac lorry has brought traffic to a standstill on the M3 in Surrey, today.
The 26-ton tipper lorry was involved in a crash which caused it to shed its load. The lorry landed on top of a car and spilt the tarmac over all three lanes of the motorway and also the hard shoulder. The hot tarmac then proceeded to set.
The crash, involving 10 to 15 vehicles happened at 9.45am on the northbound carriageway, between junction three for Bagshot and junction two for the M25.
The Highways Agency have had to call in special equipment to remove the hardened surface layer.
No serious injuries were sustained, but three men and a woman were taken to Frimley Park Hospital with minor injuries.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area, with traffic being diverted onto the A30 and then the M25. The diversion is likely to create a high volume of traffic on these routes.
The time consuming operation will continue for several hours.
Highways Agency spokesman, James Wright said: "It has cooled quite quickly and will have to be physically scraped off using specialist equipment."
A Surrey Police spokesman said: "It will be a very big clear-up operation."
Although by 4.25pm all vehicles involved in the crash had been removed, the carriageway still remains closed for the Highways Agency.
Reports of five mile queuing on the M3 were made, with traffic going as far back as junction 4 at Camberley.
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