M25 lorry crash driver from Grays (From Thurrock Gazette)

M25 lorry crash driver from Grays

3:31pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in News

A MAN from Grays has been named as the driver who died when his lorry caught fire after hitting another on the M25 last week.

Kuldip Dhillon was pronounced dead at the scene when his lorry, carrying a load of vodka, burst into flames following the collision on Friday.

A post-mortem in Romford identified the 57-year-old of Grove Road, who died of burns.

The driver of the other HGV involved suffered minor injuries.

Moments before the incident, Essex police had set up a rolling road-block after noticing dangerous debris from a tyre blow-out lying on the carriageway.

An Essex police spokesperson said: "Officers became aware of a collision in the tailback from the road-block.

"Tragically a lorry driver died at the scene.

"Police officers assisted the driver of the vehicle that was hit to get out of his cab, as a fire had started.

"Officers could do nothing to help the man who died as it was impossible to approach the fire. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Essex fire brigade, who attended the scene, reported that Mr Dhillon's lorry was "100 per cent" alight.

The accident caused chaos on the M25 and surrounding West Essex routes throughout Friday.

The incident happened in the early hours of May 25, closing the road between junctions 27 and 28 for 18 hours while the fire was put out, vehicles recovered and the road relaid.

An inquest into Mr Dhillons death will open in Waltham Forest coroners court in the next few days.