This is the moment an HGV narrowly avoids a multi-car pile-up after smashing into a van that took evasive action to avoid a fender-bender.

Footage filmed on July 16 on the M23 southbound near Gatwick airport shows how traffic in the furthest-left lane begins to slow, causing the vehicles – which are travelling very close together – to suddenly hit the brakes.

A black van appears to not be able to slow down in time – causing the driver to swerve into the path of the lorry.

The HGV collides with the van and veers into the third lane, narrowly missing another car and appearing to terrify the passengers inside.

The van driver did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

Travelling southbound through the roadworks on the M23 J9 near Gatwick Airport, lane one was moving slower than the lane this unfortunate truck driver was travelling in. This was due to queuing traffic at the upcoming exit slip road.

Suddenly lane one comes to an abrupt halt causing most of the vehicles that are travelling too close to each other to slam their brakes on. It appears that no-one actually gets hit however, the driver of the dark grey Ford Transit doesn't look as though it is going to stop in time. Rather than plough directly into the vehicle in front, instant kicks in and the van driver swerves out of lane one and into the path of the oncoming truck already in lane two.

The truck driver not really having anywhere else to go takes the brunt of the collision.

It was not thought that the van driver suffered any life threatening injuries.