One of Croydon’s busiest roads was brought to a standstill on Saturday after a serious two-car collision forced police to close a mile-long stretch of the A23 Purley Way for much of the morning and into the afternoon.
The crash, involving a Toyota Auris and a Lexus LC 500, happened just after 8.30am near the junction with Trojan Way, causing widespread disruption.
Serious Injuries Reported
Both drivers were taken to hospital following the collision. A man in his 50s suffered critical injuries and remains in hospital, while the driver of the Lexus, a man in his 40s, is believed to have sustained injuries that are not life-threatening.
Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulance Service, responded swiftly. The roof of the Toyota Auris had to be cut off by firefighters to free the trapped occupant, and the airbag in the Lexus had deployed.
A Met Police spokesperson said:
At around 08.30hrs on Saturday, April 26, two cars were in collision on the Purley Way at its junction with Trojan Way.
Officers responded and the driver of one of the cars – a man in his 50s – was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the second car – a man in his 40s – was also taken to hospital, but his condition is not believed to be serious.”
The northbound lanes between Mill Lane and Commerce Way remained closed into the afternoon, while investigations continued at the scene.
Severe Disruption
The road closure caused severe tailbacks across Croydon, with traffic gridlocked from Fiveways back to Waddon New Road and Croydon Road. Drivers attempting to divert around the closure faced further confusion, with some mistakenly turning into cul-de-sacs like Mill Lane under the watch of police officers stationed nearby.
Meanwhile, pedestrians and cyclists who made it to the Purley Cross retail park found the usually busy stores and supermarkets unusually quiet, with no queues at checkouts.
Appeal for Witnesses
Police are urging any witnesses or those with dashcam footage of the crash to come forward. Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference CAD 1807/26APR25.
