A five-car collision has closed the M26 motorway in Kent, causing miles of tailbacks.

Seven people were injured in the accident, with the London Air Ambulance responding and victims taken to four different hospitals: King’s College, St George’s, Barts Health, and Surrey & Sussex.

The accident closed the M26 in both directions between the M25 and Junction 2A eastbound and between Junction 3 and the M25 westbound. The road is not expected to reopen until later this evening.

TRAFFIC: Coastbound #M26 traffic being moved & one lane being reopened asap. Londonbound #M26 will remain closed until the evening Thanks

— Kent Police (@kent_police) April 16, 2014

Police were called to the scene at 09:30 BST this morning after reports of a crash involving two HGVs, a box van, and two cars on the M26 near Kemsing.

Kent Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision, or the events leading up to it, to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798 538.