POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorist was killed and the driver of a gritter lorry seriously injured in a three-vehicle smash on the M25.

The driver of the gritter lorry, a 27-year-old man from Rochester, is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

The man who died has been named by police as Barrie Hughes, 60, of Belvedere. His car, a silver Vauxhall Vectra, had been parked on the hard shoulder. Mr Hughes was divorced. He leaves a son and daughter.

The accident happened on the anti-clockwise flyover at junction 31 at Thurrock at about 2.30am yesterday.

It led to the closure of one of the Dartford tunnels at the request of Essex police. It was not re-opened until about 8am.

The name of the car driver who died has not yet been released by police.

Traffic jams stretched into Kent as far back as junction four of the M25 at Orpington. The accident involved a silver-coloured Vauxhall Vectra, the yellow gritter lorry and a blue articulated lorry.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “As the articulated lorry overtook, it struck the Vectra. As a result, the lorry swerved and was struck from behind by the gritter.

“The car driver, who has not yet been formally identified, died as the scene. The driver of the gritter is in a life-threatening condition at Basildon Hospital with serious head, facial and leg injuries. The 49-year-old driver of the lorry is uninjured but suffered shock.”

Traffic was diverted off the motorway at junction 31 and taken back on the other side of the flyover at junction 30. The tunnel was closed to ease traffic merging for the diversion.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident. Anyone with information is asked to call 01279 621881.