The wreckage of the car after the incident can be seen here

A man who leapt from a moving car on the M2 is expected to be released from hospital early next week.

There is speculation that a fire may have started in 22-year-old Daniel Irwin's car, forcing him to jump from the vehicle on the coastbound carriageway between Chatham and Gillingham at around 6pm last Friday.

Motorists were delayed for up to three hours while paramedics and firefighters tended to Mr Irwin. He had been driving from Northfleet having visited his one-year-old son.

The former Minster College student was taken to the Royal London Hospital with burns to his arms, legs and back plus cuts to his face and head. Amazingly he didn't break any bones.

Daniel was driving back to his home in the Broadway, Minster.

In a bizarre coincidence, his mother Melanie was on her way to Northfleet herself with other son Aaron, 19, when she spotted Daniel's smouldering car at the side of the road.

Speaking of the moment she saw the car, she said: "I couldn't believe it, I felt sick; petrified."

Daniel hasn't spoken about what happened - but Mrs Irwin, 46, of Iwade, believes a fire may have started in the car.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798535.

• Related articlde: Delays after 'car jumping' incident