Part of the M2 is expected "to be closed for hours" after a pedestrian was reportedly hit by a lorry.

Police, ambulances and fire engines are at the scene and an air ambulance was also been scrambled and has left the scene.

The accident happened on the London-bound carriageway between J2 for Strood and the A227 near Gravesend.

Screens have been erected around the crash scene.

Highways officials say the motorway has been closed between J2 and J1, where the road becomes the A2 and is likely to be shut for several hours.

Police confirmed they were attending a "serious collision" on the M2 near Rochester.

A spokesman said: "Officers were called to the scene near Junction 1 at 5.46pm.

"The London-bound carriageway of the M2 from Junction 2 near Strood towards the A227 junction remains closed while work is ongoing by emergency services.

"Motorists are warned to avoid the area as delays are expected."

Traffic trapped in the aftermath of the crash was eventually released at 7.15pm.

Highways England is advising London-bound traffic on the M2 to turn off the motorway at junction 4 for Gillingham and go on the A278.

Motorists will eventually reach the Medway Tunnel and can then join the A226 towards Gravesend and then re-join the A2.

Road users further afield are being urged to come off the M2 at junction 5 at the Stockbury Roundabout and join the A249 travelling towards Maidstone and get onto the M20.

Traffic coming from the channel ports are being told to consider using the A20 and M20 rather than the A2 and M2.

Several drivers stuck have taken to social media to complain about cars trying to beat the queues by driving down the hard shoulder.

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