The Air Ambulance attends the scene of the crash on the M2. Picture: Stuart Watkins

by Jenni Horn, Keyan Milanian and Aurelia Allen

A man in his 50s has died after a multiple-vehicle pile-up on the M2.

Three people have been arrested after the crash, when four cars and a lorry collided on the coastbound carriageway of the motorway.

It happened between junctions 3 and 4 in Medway on a section that runs parallel with Yelstead Lane and Westfield Sole Road in Lordswood, near Chatham at 5.15pm Friday.

The driver of one of the cars died at the scene.

Three people were originally arrested, one on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol, although that driver was later released. The remaining two drivers have been released on bail pending further investigation after being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Police, firefighters and paramedics attended the scene, as well as the Kent Air Ambulance.

An eye witness described the scene as "sheer carnage" and said he was badly shaken by what he had seen.

A police spokesman confirmed on Saturday morning: "A fatal incident took place between junctions three and four on the coastbound carriageway of the M2 at approximately 5.15pm Friday afternoon involving a lorry and four cars.

"A driver of one of the cars, a male in his 50s, was declared dead at the scene and next of kin have been informed."

The section of road between junctions 2 (Rochester) and 4 (Gillingham) was closed to make way for the Air Ambulance.

It remained shut until 12.30am Saturday for police investigations. Motorists were told to avoid the motorway, as tailbacks stretched across the Medway Bridge towards Strood.