A truck driver was cut from wreckage after a three-lorry crash in treacherous conditions on the M20 which remained closed for several hours.

The incident happened this lunchtime close to junction 8 between Ashford and Maidstone and saw traffic grind to a halt, with the air ambulance landing on the carriageway.

Vehicles were at a standstill and emergency services, including Kent Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service, attended following the incident which happened at around 1pm.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent four fire engines and a technical rescue unit to the scene.

Highways England said the collision involved multiple vehicles and resulted in a full closure of the carriageway in both directions. However, the coastbound carriageway of the M20 reopened shortly after 5pm.

Drivers were diverted on to the A20 through Charing, Lenham and Harrietsham between junctions 8 and 9.

The air ambulance landed at the scene at around 1pm and took off about an hour-and-a-half later.

Four fire engines and the Technical Rescue Unit were sent to the scene, and crews used cutting equipment to release one casualty, who was passed into the care of paramedics.

The London-bound carriageway remained closed for hours and recovery work was hampered by the snowy weather conditions.

Highways England tweeted to say it had reopened at about 9.40pm.

It came as snow continues to fall in parts of the county and roads remain icy as a result of the ongoing cold snap.

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