Sixteen suspected illegal immigrants, believed to be Iraqi nationals, have been found in the back of an "exceptionally hot" lorry.
The people inside waved to catch the attention of passing motorists, who flagged down the driver on the A22 in East Grinstead just before 09:30 BST.
Thirteen men, two women and a child were inside. Two of the men were taken to hospital suffering from dehydration.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration.
'Life-threatening situation'
The 63-year-old driver pulled over in a bus stop close to the junction with Dorset Avenue.
The nearby Trinity Methodist Church was then used as a refuge centre until immigration enforcement officers arrived.
Sgt William Keating-Jones, of Sussex Police, said: "The vehicle was exceptionally hot and it was important we reacted quickly.
"This was a great multi-agency response to a potentially life-threatening situation, with emergency services, immigration officials, volunteers and even local residents all pulling together."
BBC NEWS
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