A man remains in a serious condition after the 4x4 he was driving hit a lorry on the M2.

The 65-year-old was airlifted to the major trauma unit at the Royal London Hospital on Tuesday after his black Nissan Qashqai hit the back of a lorry parked on the hard shoulder.

The crash happened coastbound between junctions four for Gillingham and five for Sittingbourne at about 9.10am. The M2 was closed in both directions, causing long delays.

Kent Air Ambulance crews landed on the London-bound carriageway for an hour after the man, from Sidcup, suffered multiple injuries.

Sittingbourne firefighters removed the driver door and the roof to rescue the man who suffered abdominal, spinal and limb injuries.

Watch manager Mat Barney said: "The car went up as far as where the windscreen starts. The roof bars stopped the car from going any further under the lorry.

"We removed the driver’s door for paramedics to get access. They stabilised him then Kent Air Ambulance asked for the roof to be taken off. He was then put on a long board and moved away from the vehicle for about 20 minutes.

"He was then airlifted to hospital. We were there for about an hour and a half."

The man’s condition was described on Wednesday morning as serious but stable. The driver of the lorry, a white foreign-registered HGV, was not taken to hospital.

Ambulance crews, police and Medway firefighters were also on the scene.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use the M20 where possible.

Witnesses are urged to phone the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.