A pensioner has died following a severe collision on the M25 near Leatherhead yesterday (January 31).

Surrey Police reported that two cars and a heavy goods vehicle were involved in the incident, which occurred near Junction 9 near Leatherhead at around 6am on Thursday morning.

In a later statement, a spokesperson for Mole Valley Police said that one of the people involved, a man in his 70s, had died of the injuries he sustained.

Mole Valley Police said: "A man has died following a serious collision on the M25 this morning near to Cobham Services.

"The collision, involving a silver Mazda, a black Volkswagen Golf and a white heavy goods vehicle, happened at around 5.51am. A man in his 70s, who was in the Mazda died following the collision. His next of kind have been informed."

The statement reiterated Surrey Police's previous call for anyone who had further information about the incident to come forward.

The statement said: "Anyone with any information, or dashcam footage should contact Surrey Police via 101 or use http://surrey.police.uk/TellUsMore, quoting reference PR/P19024109.

You can also give information, 100 per cent anonymously, to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111; or through their anonymous online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/."

Long delays hit the morning rush hour on Thursday between Junctions 9 and 10 following the collision, with British Transport Police forced to divert traffic via the nearby Cobham services.

Four people involved in the crash were injured. Of the two of the casualties to have been in the Mazda at the time of the collision, the other — a woman in her 60s — also sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital. The two other people riding in the Volkswagen Golf sustained minor injuries. The male driver of the heavy goods vehicle was unhurt.