Drivers were left stuck in their cars overnight in freezing conditions after a serious crash closed the M2.
A pedestrian in his 50s died in the crash near Faversham in Kent, which happened on Wednesday evening.
The M2 remained shut in both directions on Thursday evening as police investigations into the crash continued.
National Highways advised around 4pm that the road was “likely to remain closed for several more hours” for the complex investigation.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene shortly after 8.30pm on Wednesday, to reports of a collision on the eastbound carriageway “involving a pedestrian and a number of vehicles”.
A lorry was reportedly among vehicles involved in the crash.
“Patrols and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended and a man in his 50s was confirmed deceased at the scene,” said a Kent Police spokesperson on Thursday. “His next of kin has been informed.”
UPDATE#M2 in BOTH directions between J5 #Sittingbourne and J6 #Faversham #Kent
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) November 21, 2024
ROAD CLOSED
For ongoing collision investigation work by Kent Police.
This is a complex investigation and road is likely to remain closed for several more hours.
More info: https://t.co/htc4YwOhbb pic.twitter.com/ftPP65aqtR
Police are investigating the crash and have appealed for any witnesses to get in touch.
“Anyone who saw what happened, including seeing the pedestrian or vehicles prior to the incident, or who may have dashcam footage, should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit,” said a spokesperson.
A 10.5-mile stretch of the M2 was shut between Junction 5 near Stockbury and Junction 6 at Faversham around 8.40pm on Wednesday, following the crash.
It was not until around five hours later, shortly after 1am on Thursday, that traffic within the closure area began to be released from the rear by traffic officers and police.
Hundreds of drivers are understood to have been caught up in the closure, as temperatures dropped to around freezing in Kent on what is believed to have been the coldest night of the year so far.
By shortly after 2am, all traffic that had been trapped there had at last been released, said National Highways.
The motorway remained shut in both directions late on Thursday afternoon. A diversion route was in place.
One lane of the London-bound carriageway’s two lanes had been opened earlier in the day, but National Highways later said the road had been entirely closed.
It comes as snow and ice are causing chaos across Britain with parts of the South-West facing huge disruption amid nationwide weather warnings.
The Met Office has issued yellow alerts for much of the country. Devon remains under warning until 3pm as heavy snow blankets its central and eastern regions.
Major transport routes ground to a halt on Thursday morning. The A30 linking Launceston to Honiton was impassable in sections. All trains between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton through Crediton are cancelled. Council gritters are battling to keep main roads open.
It comes as snow and ice are causing chaos across Britain with parts of the South-West facing huge disruption amid nationwide weather warnings.
The Met Office has issued yellow alerts for much of the country. Devon remains under warning until 3pm as heavy snow blankets its central and eastern regions.
Major transport routes ground to a halt on Thursday morning. The A30 linking Launceston to Honiton was impassable in sections. All trains between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton through Crediton are cancelled. Council gritters are battling to keep main roads open.
Heavy snowfall of up to 15cm is forecast for Dartmoor and Exmoor. The south Devon coast faces additional flood alerts from Starpoint to Dawlish Warren with strong winds threatening 2-metre waves.
Kent Police has asked anyone who witnessed Wednesday’s crash, “including seeing the pedestrian or vehicles prior to the incident, or who may have dashcam footage”, should contact its Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
Call on 01622 798538 quoting reference XX/SL/111/24. Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.police.uk. Dashcam footage can be uploaded here.
Investigators would also like to speak to motorists who may have driven through the scene immediately after the incident, but before the arrival of emergency services.
