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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Multiple casualties in M26 five-vehicle crash in Kent | Multiple casualties in M26 five-vehicle crash in Kent |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The M26 was closed in both directions following a five-vehicle crash resulting in "multiple casualties". | The M26 was closed in both directions following a five-vehicle crash resulting in "multiple casualties". |
| The Highways Agency said 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 crash, involving two cars, two lorries and a van, happened just before 09:40 BST on the westbound carriageway in Kent. |
| Seven people were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries. The motorway was closed between junctions three and five. | Seven people were taken to hospital, some with serious injuries. The motorway was closed between junctions three and five. |
| Kent Police said one lane on the coast-bound carriageway reopened at 16:00. | Kent Police said one lane on the coast-bound carriageway reopened at 16:00. |
| Kent Fire and Rescue Service said its crews had freed a man, woman and two children from one car and released a man and woman from a second car. | Kent Fire and Rescue Service said its crews had freed a man, woman and two children from one car and released a man and woman from a second car. |
| London Air Ambulance tweeted it was sent to help with multiple casualties. | London Air Ambulance tweeted it was sent to help with multiple casualties. |
| Six casualties were taken to the Royal London, St George's and King's College hospitals in London. | Six casualties were taken to the Royal London, St George's and King's College hospitals in London. |
| The seventh, who has less serious injuries, was taken to East Surrey Hospital. | The seventh, who has less serious injuries, was taken to East Surrey Hospital. |
| Kent Police said the London-bound carriageway was expected to remain closed until about 22:00. | |
| London-bound traffic was being turned around and directed back to join the M20 at Wrotham Heath. | London-bound traffic was being turned around and directed back to join the M20 at Wrotham Heath. |
| Traffic was also being diverted via the M25 and road users were advised to plan alternative routes. | Traffic was also being diverted via the M25 and road users were advised to plan alternative routes. |
| A Kent Police spokesman said traffic was beginning to move slowly on the coast-bound carriageway. | |
| 'No exits' | 'No exits' |
| People reacted to the crash on Twitter. | People reacted to the crash on Twitter. |
| One user, called Nevrandil, tweeted: "When you can leave your car and stand around in the middle of the road you know the #trafficjam is serious." | One user, called Nevrandil, tweeted: "When you can leave your car and stand around in the middle of the road you know the #trafficjam is serious." |
| Trevor Harlock added: "Haven't been stuck in anything quite like this before." | Trevor Harlock added: "Haven't been stuck in anything quite like this before." |
| Jeff Smith wrote: "I feel for those caught in the jam on the M26 this morning. | Jeff Smith wrote: "I feel for those caught in the jam on the M26 this morning. |
| "Great short-cut m/way to M25 but it's basically 8 miles with no exits..." | "Great short-cut m/way to M25 but it's basically 8 miles with no exits..." |
| The short motorway links the M25 with the M20, joining London by road with the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and the Port of Dover. | The short motorway links the M25 with the M20, joining London by road with the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone and the Port of Dover. |
| Emergency services praised | |
| Alexandra Campbell, who was caught in the traffic jam, praised the emergency services. | Alexandra Campbell, who was caught in the traffic jam, praised the emergency services. |
| She said she used Twitter to find out what was going on. "I used the hashtag M26. | She said she used Twitter to find out what was going on. "I used the hashtag M26. |
| "At 10am we found out we were going to be there until four in the afternoon. That was pretty scary as none of us had any water," she said. | "At 10am we found out we were going to be there until four in the afternoon. That was pretty scary as none of us had any water," she said. |
| Someone in the next car offered her some Easter eggs they were carrying in their car, she added. | |
| "After about two-and-a-half hours the police started to turn us round and along what is an entrance slip road. | "After about two-and-a-half hours the police started to turn us round and along what is an entrance slip road. |
| "They moved us very quickly, so in the end we were stuck in the jam for just over three hours, which considering the jam was fantastic." | "They moved us very quickly, so in the end we were stuck in the jam for just over three hours, which considering the jam was fantastic." |