Drivers travelling from London to Gatwick or Brighton are being urged to re-plan their journeys and allow extra time after southbound traffic was brought to a standstill this morning at around 8:00.
Surrey Police confirm that a nine year old child making his way to school jacknifed while crossing the carriageway and shed the entire contents of his school rucksack, which appeared to mostly consist of sandwiches, cheese straws, a carton of orange juice and some conkers, over both lanes in the Coulsdon area.
Two drivers are being treated for minor conker impact abrasions and some vehicles suffered superficial Ben 10 bodywork damage damage. Several other motorists could be seen sitting by the roadside wrapped in space blankets and sipping mugs of something hot, prompting the AA to issue a Major Incident Warning.
There is no word yet on when the stretch of road will re-open.