A Zimbabwean father of three was tragically killed on Tuesday after the lorry he was driving burst into flames following a collision on the M25 motorway in Essex.
Nehanda Radio understands that Langton Zulu, who lived in Kettering, Northamptonshire, died at the scene after his vehicle collided with another heavy goods vehicle carrying a flammable liquid.
Zulu is survived by his wife and their three young sons, aged eight, six and four.
The fatal crash occurred amid major disruption caused by two separate lorry fires on the anticlockwise carriageway of the M25.
Emergency services were first called at about 3:05am following a lorry fire between Junction 27 for the M11 and Junction 26 near Waltham Abbey. National Highways said the vehicle was already “well alight” when crews arrived.
A short time later, two further lorries collided in queuing traffic between Junction 28 for Brentwood and Junction 27. One of the vehicles caught fire, resulting in the death of Zulu.
The incidents forced the closure of sections of the motorway for several hours, causing severe congestion throughout much of Tuesday.
National Highways said the initial lorry fire had scattered a substantial amount of debris and cargo across the carriageway, making recovery and clean-up operations particularly challenging.
“The lorry shed a significant load across the carriageway, which we expect to take some time to clear,” a spokesperson said.
Essex Police urged motorists to avoid the area while emergency services and recovery teams worked at both scenes.
“We know this will cause disruption, but this is important work and we’d urge motorists to find alternative routes,” the force said.
Recovery specialists, including Rayleigh-based T J Cottis Transport, were deployed to assist with clearing the motorway. Managing director Jedd Cottis said the company sent three vehicles to the scene after receiving an early-morning call.
The operation involved removing fire-damaged vehicles, debris and cargo strewn across the carriageway. National Highways confirmed that grab lorries were used to clear the burnt contents from the affected HGVs.
Images released by National Highways showed towering orange flames and thick smoke billowing from one of the burning lorries. Hundreds of parcels were reportedly destroyed in the blaze.
At the height of the disruption, motorists faced delays of more than 70 minutes and around five miles of congestion on approaches to the affected sections of the motorway.
Following overnight repairs and recovery work, all affected stretches of the M25 were fully reopened.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision are continuing.
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