Traffic builds up at the Dartford Crossing

Motorists faced a double set of delays this morning after two accidents within minutes of each other at the Dartford Crossing.

The right-hand eastern tunnel was shut when three cars crashed at about 7.35am.

One person was said to have been slightly hurt and taken away by an ambulance.

Then, moments after the first crash was cleared, the tunnel was closed again at about 9.45am because of another accident.

Two lanes were closed and traffic stretched back to junction 4 for Orpington, with motorists delayed for about an hour-and-a-half.

Police were at the scene of the second crash and there are understood to be casualties.

High-sided vehicles were being stopped at the crossing until the second blockage was cleared because the eastern tunnel is the only one they can use to go into Essex.