M2 crash updates: Woman in her 20s dead as horror collision leaves road closed

The M2 has closed this afternoon after a horror crash which has left a woman in her 20s dead. The motorway is shut to all vehicles [1] westbound between Junction 5 for the Stockbury Interchange (Maidstone, Sheerness A249; The West (M20, M25)) and Junction 4 for Brooms Wood Interchange (Gillingham A278) following the collision in which the woman's car hit a barrier and overturned. A diversion route has been put in place.

Kent Police are in attendance along with South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and National Highways traffic officers.

19:09KEY EVENT

Woman in her 20s dead after horror crash

A woman in her 20s has tragically died after the crash on the M2 earlier today. A black Volkswagen T-Roc had collided with the central reservation before flipping over. Now Kent Police have said a woman in her 20s, from Faversham, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.[2]

17:31Christopher Mallett

Where does the closure begin and end?

This map from Google Traffic shows exactly where the motorway is closed westbound

15:56Sam Truelove

Delays expected for foreseeable

The event is expected to clear between 7:15pm and 7:30pm, according to National Highways.

There are currently delays of 15 minutes against expected traffic, with two lanes currently closed.

15:42Sam Truelove

Diversions in place

The following diversions are in place:

Exit the M2 at J5 and join the southbound A249.
Remain on the A249 to J7 of the M20.
Join the M20 westbound.
Exit the M20 at J4 and join the A228 northbound.
Follow the A228 northbound to J2 of the M2.

15:31Sam Truelove

National Highways statement

National Highways said in a statement: The collision, reported to National Highways at 12:58pm is a single vehicle collision which has struck the central reservation barrier and has come to rest in an overturned position. Kent Police lead the response to this incident and are assisted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Fire & Rescue Service.

National Highways Traffic Officers are assisting with traffic management. Our first priority is to ensure the road is closed, then we will assist traffic that is stationary within the closure. Due to the seriousness of the incident, Kent Police will be carrying out detailed collision investigations at the scene.

This process is essential to establish the circumstances of the incident, which means the closure is expected to remain in place throughout the afternoon.

15:17Sam Truelove

Where is the crash?

The M2 in Kent is closed westbound between J5 (Maidstone) and J4 (Gillingham).

The M2 in Kent is closed westbound between J5 (Maidstone) and J4 (Gillingham) (Google Maps)15:03Kirstie McCrum

Traffic within closure is being released

National Highways says: "The M2 westbound between J5 Sittingbourne and J4 Rainham remains closed after a serious collision. @kent_police are conducting investigations, the road is likely to remain closed through the afternoon. Traffic within the closure is being released."

14:32Kirstie McCrum

Delays easing at scene

AA traffic news says: "Delays of nine minutes and delays easing on M2 Westbound between J5 A249 (Sittingbourne / Stockbury Roundabout) and J4 A278 Hoath Way (Gillingham). Average speed five mph."

14:18Kirstie McCrum

Investigations planned for the scene

The closure which is in place will also allow for investigation, National Highways said: "Due to the seriousness of the incident, Kent Police will be carrying out detailed collision investigations at the scene.

This process is essential to establish the circumstances of the incident, which means the closure is expected to remain in place throughout the afternoon."

14:04Kirstie McCrum

Kent Police warns of 'extended closure'

Posting on social media, Kent Police have said: "We are currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M2 London-bound near the Medway services. The motorway is closed between Junctions 5 and 4 and will remain so for an extended period of time. Thank you for your patience."

13:59Kirstie McCrum

Serious crash sees carriageway closed 'for several hours'

Traffic monitoring system Inrix said: "M2 London bound closed, queueing traffic due to overturned car from J5 A249 (Sittingbourne / Stockbury Roundabout) to J4 A278 Hoath Way (Gillingham).

"After Medway Services. Stopped since 13:00 after a car hit the central barrier, overturned, and caught on fire. Expected to be closed for several hours."

13:50Kirstie McCrum

Queues of half an hour and building

AA traffic news says that derivers are subject to severe delays of 28 minutes and increasing on the M2 Westbound between J5 A249 (Sittingbourne / Stockbury Roundabout) and J4 A278 Hoath Way (Gillingham).

The average speed for drivers currently is five mph.

13:47KEY EVENT

Diversion in place

Road users are advised to follow the Solid Square diversion symbol on road signs

Exit the M2 at J5 and join the southbound A249.
Remain on the A249 to J7 of the M20. Join the M20 westbound.
Exit the M20 at J4 and join the A228 northbound.
Follow the A228 northbound to J2 of the M2.

13:46Kirstie McCrum

Christmas Eve drivers facing long queues

The London-bound carriageway of the M2 is where the incident has happened, causing queueing traffic between junction 4 and 5. The incident stopped traffic shortly after 1pm after a car hit the central barrier.

13:43Kirstie McCrum

What's happened?

The M2 in Kent is closed westbound between J5 Stockbury Interchange (Maidstone, Sheerness A249; The West (M20, M25)) and J4 Brooms Wood Interchange (Gillingham A278) following a serious collision which has resulted in an overturned car.

Kent Police are in attendance along with South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Fire & Rescue Service and National Highways Traffic Officers (who are assisting with traffic management).

References

^ vehicles (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ dead at the scene. (www.mirror.co.uk)