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Arrest after highways worker killed on M23

Hsin-Yi LoSouth East
News imageEddie Mitchell A close-up view of a motorway lane shows orange traffic cones stretching into the distance. A marked police car with blue lights, a white recovery van and a red recovery lorry are parked in the closed lanes. Two highway workers wearing hi-vis clothing stand beside the cones.Eddie Mitchell
A 65-year-old highways worker was hit by a van, police said

A man has been arrested after a highways worker was killed on a motorway near Gatwick Airport.

The 65-year-old victim from Kent was hit by a van on the coastbound M23 shortly before 01:00 BST on Wednesday, at junction nine for Crawley, Sussex Police said.

Officers said the driver of the van, a 38-year-old man from Croydon, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving and remained in custody.

The southbound M23 was closed near Merstham and Crawley, but has fully reopened. National Highways said workers had been carrying out recovery, clean up and carriageway inspections after police investigations finished.

Sgt Chris Ambrose, from Sussex Police, said: "A highways worker, a 65-year-old man from Kent, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

"His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time."

News imageEddie Mitchell Police and recovery vehicles are in a coned-off section of the motorway. A flatbed recovery truck is parked in the closed lanes while two highway workers in hi-vis clothing stand beside the hard shoulder. Overhead blue motorway signs point to Crawley, East Grinstead, Brighton and Horsham.Eddie Mitchell
Investigations are complete and a recovery and clean-up operation is under way

Earlier, National Highways advised motorists travelling to Gatwick to use alternative routes and allow plenty of time extra time, with a diversion put in place.

Gatwick also advised passengers heading to the West Sussex airport by road to allow more time for their journeys.

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