TWO cops have been injured in a five-car crash on the M23 as a woman is arrested on suspicion of driving while high on drugs.
Three people, including the police officers, were injured in the smash on the motorway near Patcham just after 11am on Saturday.
The horror collision happened between Junction 10 and Junction 8, Sussex Police confirmed.
The force said a 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving while high on drugs, and driving without a license and insurance. She remains in custody.
Officers were responding to a black Audi which was speeding northbound on the motorway after being detected by ANPR, police said.
The force said a five-car collision on the motorway occurred - including two police cars which were not part of the pursuit.
Read more UK news
"So far there are three people, including two police officers, who have sustained injuries," a police spokeswoman said.
"All three lanes near to junction nine of the northbound side are closed and it is not yet clear when the road will fully reopen."
Shocking pictures from the scene show a police car wrecked at the side of the major carriageway.
A driver who passed the crash scene on the opposite side of the M23 said: “You could clearly see [a wrecked police car] with more officers on the road trying to maintain the scene and stop traffic.
Most read in News
“Drivers on the other side from the smash were slowing down to have a look which made conditions going south more dangerous.”
The road remains closed northbound between Junction 10 and Junction 8, National Highways South East said.
Emergency services are working at the scene, with Sussex Police leading the response operation.
National Highways has asked drivers to allow extra time for journeys and find alternative routes where possible.
Anyone who saw the crash or who has dashcam footage is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk or call 101 quoting 223.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqecsKtfZoVxg5Vqa3FnpKy8bq%2FOqapmoZ6fwrOxw2adoq6VYrCivoycqZqrmGLEsLnAp2SaqqKawLWxw2abq62XqHw%3D