A woman remains in a critical condition in hospital following a five-car pile-up on the M20.

The motorway was closed between junction 8 (Leeds) and junction 9 (Ashford) for 10 hours on Thursday after three cars and two lorries collided on the coastbound stretch at 4.45am.

The woman, who was flown by air ambulance to King's College Hospital, sustained serious injuries in the crash. Two men were also taken to the London hospital by road.

Two other men, one in his 60s and the other in his 40s, remain at the William Harvey Hospital with injuries. Their condition is unknown.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are now appealing for witnesses to the collision.

Sgt Glyn Walker said: "We would appeal to anyone who has not yet spoke to officers to get in touch. In particular we know many people now have cameras in their cars so if you happened to drive past and film the collision please get in touch."

Five vehicles were involved, an Audi TT, two articulated lorries, a Vauxhall Vivaro and a Fiat Ducato.

Several people were reportedly trapped in one vehicle and around 20 firefighters were involved in the rescue operation.

In an unrelated accident, police are still working to establish the identity of a man, believed to be a migrant, who died after being hit by a van on the same stretch of motorway on Wednesday.

Ambulance crews were called to the collision near Hollingbourne just before 7am, but the male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. No other casualties were reported.

The road was closed for seven hours to allow police to carry out an investigation.

On both days, traffic was sent off the motorway at junction 8 and diverted via the A20 to Ashford leading to long delays around Maidstone.

Finally, this morning a third crash took place on the same stretch of road in as many days.

A woman was left with minor injuries after the single-vehicle collision on the coastbound carriageway close to the junction 9 (Ashford) exit.

Police are appealing for information and ask witnesses to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit's witness appeal line on 01622 798538.