M26 in Kent reopens after five-vehicle crash kills two
The M26 has reopened after two people were killed and seven seriously injured in a collision which stranded hundreds of motorists.
The crash, involving two cars, two lorries and a van, happened just before 09:40 BST on the westbound carriageway in Kent, the Highways Agency said.
The London-bound carriageway near Kemsing was the final stretch to reopen.
The Red Cross sent emergency teams to the scene.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said its crews freed a man, woman and two children from one car and released a man and a woman from a second car.
Six of the injured were taken to the Royal London, St George's and King's College hospitals in London.
The seventh was taken to East Surrey Hospital.
The M26 links the M25 with the M20, joining London by road with the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and the Port of Dover.
Chief Insp Matt Kendall, of Kent Police, said anyone who saw the events leading up to the collision, or the crash itself, and who had left the scene without speaking to police, should contact its Serious Collision Investigation Unit.