A man from Leicester has been killed in a pile-up that closed the M25 motorway today.
The crash involved four lorries and a car and Essex police said the deceased man, who was 39, was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to the mortuary Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex. He has not been named.
Four other people remain in hospital receiving treatment for injuries which are not believed to be serious.
The M25 currently remains shut between junctions 25 and 27 while clean up and repair work to the central reservation continue.
Essex Police said: "All three emergency services were called to the scene of the collision between junctions 26 and 27 of the M25 just after 1.50am following reports of a multiple collision.
"The collision involved a number of lorries and several vehicles which had gone through the central reservation and come to rest on the opposite carriageway.
"One person has been confirmed deceased and three other people have been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which at this time are not believed to be life threatening.
"There is debris across both sides of the M25 and the motorway will be closed for the foreseeable future while we deal with this collision and begin our investigations to establish what has happened.
"If it is at all possible motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.
"Nothing will be moving around this portion of the M25 for some considerable time."
