Tributes have been paid to a driver who died in a crash on the M2 yesterday morning.

An inquest is to be opened into the death of Gravesend resident Ben Johnson, 44.

The accident caused closures on junctions one, two and three of the motorway and saw police, ambulance and fire crews called to the scene.

Mr Johnson will be missed by his many friends and daughter Lauren Bonner, 24, who paid tribute to her beloved father: "RIP Daddy you left a hole in my life that will never be filled and my heart is broken I wish this was a bad dream and that soon I would wake up x I love your forever x x x".

Antony Mellon, 37, who was Mr Johnson's best friend, also paid tribute to the man he calls his brother: "Words cannot describe how much i love and miss you buddy , you were my best friend my soulmate & brother, R.I.P Ben you will always be in my heart xxxx".

Bexley resident Karen Gibbons shared the report of the incident on Facebook and said: "God bless you Ben Johnson - such a tragic accident x."

And Victoria Nicolson, of Gravesend, also paid tribute on Facebook, saying: "Rip Ben Johnson, one of the loveliest men I have ever known. You must have been pretty good to put up with us lots of girls!

"We may have not talked for a long while but I’ll never forget you. RIP xx."