A crash which closed a motorway for several hours involved a car and a prison van, it has emerged.

The accident happened in the London-bound carriageway just before 11am yesterday and the motorway was shut from junction 3 for the M20 and junction 5 for the M25.

The car, a VW Golf, crashed into the stationary GEOAmey van parked on the hard shoulder.

The firm provides a prisoner escort and custody service. The van had been carrying one prisoner, who had been transferred before the crash took place.

A woman in her 20s was taken to King's College Hospital by air ambulance with head, chest, and leg injuries.

A man in his 40s was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough.

A GEOAmey spokesman said: “We can confirm that two of our officers sustained injuries as a result of the incident and were taken to hospital for medical treatment.”

Cars were diverted via the M20 and the M25 until 3.30pm, when the road re-opened.