TWO women killed in a four-vehicle pile-up on the M20 motorway shortly before Christmas have been identified.

They were Hazel Croucher and Kerry Sharpe who were both employed as probation officers in various parts of Kent. They worked chiefly with sex offenders in the Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone offices.

The tragedy happened on the coastbound carriageway near Ashford, close to junction 10, shortly after 10.45pm on Thursday, December 21.

The vehicles involved were a Dutch-registered white Mercedes lorry, a black Volkswagen Golf, a red Scania horsebox and a red Volvo FH12.

Witnesses have reported seeing a car trapped under an articulated lorry.

Hilary James, chief officer for Kent Probation, said: “The deaths of Hazel Croucher and Kerry Sharpe have come as a tremendous shock to all their colleagues.

“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with their families and loved ones. They were both heavily valued members of staff and are an enormous loss to the service.”

Fire crews from Ashford attended the scene of the tragedy and had to use hydraulic cutting equipment.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. Despite the heavy fog over the Christmas period, there was none at the bridge where the accident happened.

Kent police are appealing for witnesses to call the serious collision witness line on 01622 798538.