Witness appeal after fatal M20 crash and fire

Police are appealing for witnesses after a fatal crash on the M20 near Ashford.

A black Volkswagen Polo was travelling on the coastbound carriageway between junction eight (Lenham) and junction nine (Ashford) shortly before 06:00 BST, when it left the motorway and went down an embankment.

A fire at the scene was put out, police said, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent three fire engines and a technical rescue unit.

The one occupant of the vehicle was confirmed to have died and inquiries are under way to identify their next of kin, Kent Police said.

The motorway had been shut for several hours, but has since reopened after recovery and investigation work was completed.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw the car prior to the accident, to contact the force.

A separate crash had closed two out of four lanes on the M20's westbound carriageway earlier near Maidstone, but officials said the lanes had also since reopened.

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