A 45 year-old man has been arrested and is in custody following the five-vehicle fatal collision on the M26 which occurred yesterday (April 16) and left a young woman and a teenager dead.

Another seven were rushed to hospital, some of them with serious injuries.

Two HGVs, two cars and a box van were involved in the crash, which occured around 9.30am, near Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, between M20 Junction 3 and the M25.

Two French women, aged 22 and 16, died at the scene.

A 45 year-old lorry driver has been arrested and is being questioned in connection with the incident.

Both sides of the motorway had to be closed while emergency services rushed to the scene investigation work was carried out. 

Kent Police has thanked motorists for their patience in light of the tragic events.

Chief Inspector Matt Kendall said: "We appreciate that some members of the public were inconvenienced for some time but, in light of the tragic circumstances of the incident, we had a duty to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation at the scene.

"We worked with other emergency services to free traffic from the area and to reopen the road as quickly as possible.

"We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision, or the events prior to the collision, to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit urgently on 01622 798538."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Sadly two patients were pronounced dead at the scene.

"We took a total of seven patients to hospital. 

"Six patients with injuries including serious injuries were taken to London hospitals, Kings, Royal London and St George's Hospital in Tooting.

"Another patient with less serious injuries was taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill." 

This picture is taken from a video published by Robin Lefever on Facebook.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "We were called at 9.37am this morning to a report of a collision on the west-bound carriageway of the M26.

"It is thought to have involved a minimum of four vehicles."