A pedestrian has died in a crash on the M25 in Essex.
Police were called at around midday on Thursday to Junction 29 of the M25 following a crash between a car and a pedestrian.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the man, aged in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man's family have been informed of his death and formal identification will take place in due course, the Met Police said.
Huge tailbacks built up on the M35 on Thursday after it was partially closed due to the serious collision.
Both sections of the major motorway were closed between J29 for Hornchurch and J28 for Brentwood as emergency services responded to the scene.
National Highways said there were approximately 12 miles of congestion and delays of up to three hours on the anticlockwise section at J29 at 5pm.
Cars attempting to join the rear of the queuing traffic had to be turned around, the agency added.
In an update, at 8pm the anticlockwise section remained closed with delays of up to 90 minutes reported on approach to the anti-clockwise closure at J29 and 30 minutes approaching the lane closure on the clockwise carriageway.
One motorist said on X: “M25 is knackered near Brentwood, first time I’ve been turned around on a motorway before.”
Another added: “Friday the 13th has arrived early on the M25 in Essex at the moment,” while a third said: “There is no movement for any traffic travelling northbound from Junction 3. The entire area is log-jammed.”
It comes as motorists attempting to leave London for the Christmas holidays are being warned to expect long queues due to record traffic levels.
The AA predicted that Friday December 20 will be the busiest day on the roads during the festive period, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip.
The M25 near Heathrow Airport, west London and the M4/M5 interchange near Bristol are expected to be among the busy congestion spots.
Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating the collision.
Any witnesses yet to speak with police are asked to call 101 reference CAD 2866/12Dec.
