A Christmas Eve journey home turned into a standstill for countless drivers as a serious collision brought traffic on the M2 to a complete halt. The incident, occurring shortly before 1pm between Sittingbourne and Rainham, triggered a massive emergency response and left a significant stretch of motorway closed.
The scene unfolded when a single vehicle impacted the central reservation, ultimately coming to rest overturned on the carriageway. Emergency services, including Kent Police, the South East Coast Ambulance Service, and Kent Fire & Rescue Service, swiftly arrived at the location to manage the situation.
Authorities confirmed there were no passengers in the vehicle, and no other cars were involved in the crash. However, the severity of the incident necessitated a thorough collision investigation, led by Kent Police, promising an extended closure of the westbound lanes between junctions 5 and 4.
Footage from the scene revealed the frustration of stranded motorists, many of whom exited their vehicles as traffic ground to a complete stop. National Highways warned that the road was likely to remain closed throughout the afternoon, adding to the holiday travel disruption.
This incident occurred on one of the busiest travel days of the year, with an estimated 22.7 million journeys planned across the UK. While Friday, December 19th, saw the peak of festive travel with around 24.4 million trips, Christmas Eve still presented a significant volume of traffic.
The meticulous investigation underway is crucial to understanding the circumstances that led to the crash. Police are dedicated to establishing a clear picture of events, a process that unfortunately requires the continued closure of the motorway.
The closure casts a shadow over the holiday plans of many, turning what should be a joyful journey into a frustrating delay. The focus remains on the investigation and ensuring the road is safe before reopening to traffic.
