AN 80-year-old man driving a vintage car has died after a motorway crash with a lorry.

He was participating in today's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but strayed from the set route.

A female passenger has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The man was driving a 1903 Knox Runabout Old Porcupine when the crash took place at around 10am.

The M23 is closed in both directions. An air ambulance was sent to the scene and Surrey Police said the road will be closed for some time between J7 (Hooley) and J8 (M25).

The Argus:

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "We can confirm that a man has sadly died following a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M23 near J7 Hooley this morning, 3 November.

"The driver of the car, an 80 year old man, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the collision, and a female passenger has been taken to hospital by ambulance with serious injuries.

"Police have notified the man's next of kin.

"The road has been closed in both directions and will remain so while we investigate the incident and enable the motorway to reopen. Please find alternative routes at this time.

The Argus:

"Anyone who witnessed the collision, or with any information which could assist our enquiries including dashcam footage, is asked to contact us on 101, quoting incident reference PR/P19255341.

A spokesman for the Veteran Car Run said: "We can confirm that the car involved in this morning’s tragic incident on the M23 had been entered in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

"The car had left the route, which does not include the M23 where the collision took place.

"We are doing all we can to support the family concerned and are working with the police, but we cannot comment any further at this stage."