Witnesses are being urged to come forward after a woman died when she was hit by a car on the M2.

The 35-year-old, from Maidstone, was knocked down when she got out of her car after a minor accident at about 7.30pm yesterday.

She was driving a silver Peugeot 207 that collided with the central reservation on the coastbound carriageway between junction one at the Wainscott bypass and junction two for Cuxton.

A Kent Police spokesman said the woman, who has not yet been named, was standing by the central reservation when she was hit by a silver Ford Mondeo.

The male Mondeo driver was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with a minor injury. He has not been arrested at this stage.

Police are appealing for drivers who initially stopped to help the woman and later drove away from the scene to get in touch, as they may have vital information to help officers with their investigation.

The road was closed for around seven hours while officers from the Kent Police Serious Collision Unit carried out an investigation.

The crash caused severe delays, with traffic being directed off the motorway at junction one.

Witnesses are asked to phone Kent Police on 01622 798538.