Stolen BMW nearly hits M25 roadworkers in Essex

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 22:02 · Archive

A stolen BMW fleeing police at 80mph crashed through barriers on the M25 near junction 27 in Essex, narrowly missing roadworkers.

A stolen black BMW X5 smashed through a fully closed section of the M25 near junction 27, close to the M11 interchange in Essex, at around 11.51pm on 15 March. The vehicle was being driven at more than 80mph whilst fleeing from police. Footage released by traffic management company City TM shows the car forcing its way through two lines of barriers before entering an active work area where roadworkers were present.

The clockwise carriageway between junctions 27 and 28 had been closed for overnight resurfacing work. The BMW ignored all warnings and narrowly missed three workers who were on site. Paul Frost, a lead traffic management operative for City TM working that night, said the incident was 'the scariest thing to have happened to me' and has since left the traffic management industry. He said: 'You don't get many chances in life, and that night I will never forget.'

According to Hertfordshire RPU, officers entered the closed section only after speaking to the crew and receiving clearance. National Highways' control centre said it had only just been reported to them when City TM phoned. Work at the site stopped immediately and resumed only after the traffic safety and control officer declared it safe.

The BMW was later found abandoned in Romford, east London. A man was arrested close to where it was found, but there was insufficient evidence to charge him with any offence.

How it is being reported

• WATCH terrifying moment stolen BMW narrowly misses M25 roadworkersTerrifying footage shows M25 roadworkers narrowly escaping a stolen BMW fleeing from police at 80mph after crashing through barriers near Essex’s junction 27.Echo (Basildon) · 12 Nov, 15:45
• WATCH terrifying moment stolen BMW narrowly misses M25 roadworkersTerrifying footage shows M25 roadworkers narrowly escaping a stolen BMW fleeing from police at 80mph after crashing through barriers near Essex’s junction 27.Colchester Gazette · 12 Nov, 15:45
• WATCH terrifying moment stolen BMW narrowly misses M25 roadworkersTerrifying footage shows M25 roadworkers narrowly escaping a stolen BMW fleeing from police at 80mph after crashing through barriers near Essex’s junction 27.Brentwood Guardian · 12 Nov, 15:45
• WATCH: M25 workers' close call with stolen BMWA car smashes through a temporary motorway barrier, missing road workers by inches.BBC Essex · 12 Nov, 08:14

In this story: M25 · Essex · City TM · Paul Frost · Hertfordshire RPU · National Highways · Romford · Chris Whales

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log