More than 40 people have been hurt after a coach overturned on the M25 near Swanley in Kent.

Minor injuries were sustained by 38 people and three others were taken to hospital, although police said none had been seriously hurt. Seven children were among those injured, South East Coast ambulance service said.

A baby boy was born in the traffic that built up as emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the crash, police officers said. The expectant mother was caught up and stopped next to the scene of the crash for medical help.

“Life so easily could have been lost today. Instead we have gone home, somewhat late off, knowing that some good news has come from today,” one of the Kent police officers who was working at the scene said.



The Princess Royal University hospital in Orpington, Kent, was on major incident alert, a spokesman said. It later said it was treating 23 of the 41 people who were hurt.



Police were called to the scene just before 4pm on Monday. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

Lanes one and two at junction three anti-clockwise were closed, as was the exit slip road, causing major delays on Monday evening. Delays of nearly an hour were expected, with traffic queues stretching back five miles, the Highways Agency said.

Police, ambulance and fire services were called to the scene at the M25 at Swanley just before 4pm. Kent police said they were called “to reports of a collision involving a coach on the anti-clockwise carriageway of the M25 near to junction three”.

The force added: “Officers are currently at the scene with South East Coast ambulance service and Kent fire and rescue service. The junction three slip road on the anti-clockwise carriageway and lanes one and two are currently closed. There are delays to traffic and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible.”

A spokesman for Kent fire and rescue service earlier said firefighters were using cutting gear to free two trapped people. Three fire engines and “several vehicles from the heavy rescue team” were sent out as a precaution, he added. Police urged motorists to plan ahead.