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Kent M20 shut after crash and footbridge collapse | Kent M20 shut after crash and footbridge collapse |
(35 minutes later) | |
A pedestrian bridge has collapsed on a motorway on one of the busiest travel days of the year. | |
The M20 in Kent is closed between junctions 3 and 4 because of a "vehicle striking a bridge" on the eastbound carriageway, Highways England said. | |
Kent Police said the crash was being dealt with as a major incident and one person had been injured. | Kent Police said the crash was being dealt with as a major incident and one person had been injured. |
Travel disruption is said to be severe, with the motorway likely to be closed for some time. | Travel disruption is said to be severe, with the motorway likely to be closed for some time. |
Officers said no-one was believed to be trapped in the debris and the person who had been hurt had injuries that were not life-threatening. | Officers said no-one was believed to be trapped in the debris and the person who had been hurt had injuries that were not life-threatening. |
The crash happened near the junction with the M26 which links the M25 London orbital with the M20. | |
The motorway is the main route to the Channel Tunnel and the Port of Dover for people travelling to France and across Europe. | |
Emergency crews were called to the scene on the London-bound carriageway at about 12:10 BST. | |
South East Coast Ambulance Service tweeted that a motorcyclist in his 50s had been taken by ambulance to Tunbridge Wells Hospital with suspected broken ribs after the bridge collapsed. | |
A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "It is believed a lorry collided with a pedestrian bridge which has collapsed onto the carriageway below." | A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "It is believed a lorry collided with a pedestrian bridge which has collapsed onto the carriageway below." |
She added: "No people are believed to be trapped in the debris, however one person is believed to have suffered injuries, not reported to be life-threatening at this time." | She added: "No people are believed to be trapped in the debris, however one person is believed to have suffered injuries, not reported to be life-threatening at this time." |
People took to social media to share pictures of the collapsed structure. | |
Helen Ayres posted: "Now that's what I call timing. Just as well the M20 is usually free-flowing on a Bank Holid... Oh. 😣" | |
Jimmy tweeted: "Couple of guys playing football on the m20; not something you see everyday #m20 #motorway #traffic https://www.instagram.com/p/BJnL3Rdhvy_/ " | |
Some drivers objected to the handling of the aftermath of the crash, with Wiiliam Gaunt tweeting: "@kent_police why so long to close M20? 1000s joined 45 mins after bridge strike now trapped." | |
An estimated 13 million drivers are expected to take to the road between Friday and Monday, over the long weekend, according to the AA. | |
The busiest day was expected to be Saturday, with 10 million motorists expected to travel. |