Police are hunting for witnesses after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a horror crash.

The rider and a car were involved in the accident on the coastbound M2 between junctions 4-5 – for Gillingham and Sittingbourne – at about 11am yesterday.

It involved a black Kawasaki motorcycle and a silver Ford Mondeo Estate, prompting a large-scale police and air ambulance response.

The motorcycle rider, a man aged in his 50s, was airlifted to a London hospital where he remains, police said.

Urging anyone who witnessed the events leading up to the crash, a spokesman said today: “Officers are seeking information following a collision on the M2 which led to a motorcyclist being seriously injured.

“The collision happened at around 11am on Saturday 10 June, on the coastbound carriageway at a location close to junction 5. It involved a black Kawasaki motorcycle and a silver Ford Mondeo Estate.

“Police and ambulance crews attended and the rider of the motorcycle, a man aged in his 50s, was airlifted to a London hospital.

“Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”

The specialist division is urging witnesses, including those who saw the vehicles in the moments leading up to the collision, to contact the force.

“Drivers are also asked to check dashcams for any footage which may assist the investigation,” the spokesperson added.

The coastbound Junction 3 for Bluebell Hill and Junction 5 for Sittingbourne and Maidstone was closed, but later reopened at about 7pm.

Normal traffic conditions were not expected to return until about 9.30pm, National Highways said after the accident.

Motorists were left queing for hours as the mercury hit 30 degrees celsius, the London-bound stretch was temporarily closed to allow for the air ambulance to land.

Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit by emailing sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk or phoning 01622 798538 quoting RY/DC/061/23.

Dashcam footage can also be uploaded via the force’s online portal on its website.