An 80-year-old man driving a vintage 1903 Knox Runabout, known as “Old Porcupine,” has tragically died following a serious collision on the M23 motorway in Surrey. The crash occurred on Sunday, 3rd November 2019, near roadworks on the southbound carriageway.
The veteran driver was involved in a collision with a lorry linked to the ongoing roadworks. Witnesses reported that the elderly man was thrown from the vehicle on impact and struck the lorry’s windscreen. Six fire crews from Surrey and London responded to the scene, along with an air ambulance.
A female passenger in the vintage car was seriously injured and was rushed to hospital for treatment. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash, which took place around 10am.
Surrey Police confirmed the fatality and stated: “We can confirm that a man has sadly died following a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M23 near J7 Hooley this morning. The road remains closed in both directions while we investigate and work to reopen the motorway.” The man’s next of kin have been informed.
Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. Those with information are urged to contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting incident PR/P19255341.
The organisers of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run revealed that the vintage car had been entered for the event but had veered off the official route. The M23 is not part of the sanctioned course. A spokesman said, “We are supporting the family and working closely with police, but cannot comment further at this stage.”
The M23 remains closed between junction 7 (Hooley) and junction 8 (M25), causing significant travel disruption. Southbound traffic from junction 7 is advised to divert via the A23 towards Gatwick and rejoin the M23 at junction 9A. Northbound drivers are recommended to take the M25 anti-clockwise to junction 6, then the A22 northbound to Purley.
Emergency services continue to work at the scene of this tragic incident. Motorists are advised to stay tuned for further updates.
Originally published by UKNIP.
