A van driver has been arrested after a highways worker was hit on the M23 near Gatwick Airport.
A 65-year-old man from Kent was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a van on the junction 9 southbound carriageway for Crawley, Sussex, shortly before 1am on Wednesday.
The van driver, a 38-year-old man from Croydon, south London, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink-driving, Sussex Police said. He remains in custody.
The southbound carriageway of the M23 was closed between junction 8 for the M25 near Merstham and junction 10 for the A264 at Crawley. It reopened at roughly 3pm on Wednesday.
There was severe delays and congestion towards junction 5 for the M26 in Kent, and back past junction 8 for Reigate, Surrey, according to the RAC website.
Gatwick Airport advised flyers to leave more time for their journeys, and National Highways expects the carriageway "to remain closed until at least early afternoon".
Detectives are calling for witnesses or those with dashcam footage to come forward to assist with the investigation.
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Sussex Police's Sergeant Chris Ambrose 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.
"We are fully investigating the circumstances and we ask anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone who has dashcam footage to come forward."
(c) Sky News 2026: Driver arrested after highways worker hit by van near Gatwick Airport
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