M25 closed as recovery work goes on to remove crashed lorry after driver fell asleep

A section of the M25 had to be closed as work went on to recover a lorry which ran off the road when the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Essex Police said the section of the road between J27 (M11) and J28 (A12) was closed overnight but that the work had to continue into Saturday morning.

Long queues built up on the M11 and drivers were diverted away from the orbital motorway.

Police said several specialist recovery trucks and numerous staff were on the scene working to clear and reopen the road.

Essex Police said the driver fell asleep at the wheel on Friday and careered off the road but that luckily no-one was hurt.

The driver has been fined £700 for driving hours offences.

Police said recovering the lorry would cost at least £7000.

National Highways said diversions were in place. The incident was cleared by around 12.30pm but long delays continued.

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