Two seriously injured after 30-vehicle crash in fog on the M20

Two people have been seriously injured after more than 30 vehicles were involved in a crash on the M20.

Kent Police said the incident happened on the London-bound carriageway near Hollingbourne, Maidstone, around 6.41pm on Saturday.

The crash resulted in the closure of a stretch of the M20 in both directions between junction 9 at Ashford and junction 8 at Leeds Castle for several hours.

Kent Police said: “Two people are reported to have sustained serious injuries. One of those injured has been taken to a London hospital while the other patient has been taken to a local hospital.

“Other drivers have sustained injuries not believed to be serious.”

Three fire engines and a technical rescue unit were sent to the scene, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said.

Eleven people were also treated by paramedics and police said two of them were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Drivers posting on the Kent Traffic and Travel Facebook page said conditions were “so foggy”.

One user wrote: “I was on the other side of the road and heard a massive bang but didn't see anything as it was so foggy.”

Another user wrote: “I drove through about half 6. The fog just appeared and was very thick. All cars were slowing down to about 30mph. Be careful out there.”

At around 5am on Sunday, National Highways said both carriageways had reopened.

Motorists have been urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

It comes as a yellow weather warning for fog was issued by the Met Office for Sunday.

The warning, which stretches from Manchester and Hull down to Exeter and Brighton, including London, kicked in at midnight and is set to last until 10am this morning.

The Met Office said widespread fog has developed overnight, with dense patches bringing visibility down to less than 50 metres in places.

The fog is set to slowly clear on Sunday morning, though it will be slower to move in parts of the West Country and central southern England.

Anyone with information about the incident or who has dash cam footage is asked to contact Kent Police via its live chat function, or by calling 101, and quoting reference 07-1245.