Drivers are being advised to avoid a busy stretch of the M25 during peak rush hour traffic after a serious collision involving three heavy goods lorries.

A spokeswoman for Herts Police confirmed officers are still on the scene between junctions 22 of the M25 anti-clockwise for London Colney and 23 for South Mimms after an incident involving three lorries.

Police were called to the scene just before 2pm.

Crews from St Albans, Garston and Kings Langley were also on hand to assist two trapped passengers and used heavy cutting gear and a HGV platform to get both of them out.

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust confirmed paramedics were called at 2.06pm today.

She said: “An ambulance, HEMS Air ambulance, a rapid response car and an ambulance officer attended and treated a man in his 20s.”

He was then flown to The Royal London Hospital with suspected abdominal and shoulder injuries.

A spokeman for Highways England confirmed that anti-clockwise lanes three and four have now reopened, though lanes one and two still remain closed.

Congestion is heavy and all those wishing to travel northbound on the M1 should join the A1(M) at junction 23 and then the A14 westbound.