M20 closes after tractor crash near Addington

A tractor fell from a bridge onto the M20 in Kent after a crash with a lorry, triggering a long road closure.

Tractor crash closes M20 near Addington

At about 11:15 BST on Monday, a two-vehicle crash occurred on the A227 overbridge near Wrotham in Kent. The tractor involved then fell from the bridge onto the central reservation of the M20, prompting closures in both directions between junction 3 near Addington and junction 1 near Swanley. National Highways said the M20 would remain shut while crews are at work, and Kent Police reported one person was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. Kent Fire & Rescue Service said crews had extracted one person from the scene. The timeline showed an active response from police, fire and highway authorities as investigations begin and the road remains closed for four to six hours.

Officials cautioned travelers to expect significant delays and to use alternative routes while the scene is cleared and traffic is diverted.

Incidents like this highlight how quickly a single crash can ripple through a busy transport corridor. The immediate priority is rescue and clearance, but the longer picture involves evaluating road safety on overbridges and the effectiveness of detours for heavy vehicles. The incident underscores the strain on local roads when a major artery like the M20 is shut in both directions. Clear and timely updates from National Highways and police help, yet motorists still face uncertainty as hours pass and travel plans are disrupted.

Highlights

More details will come as investigators review the incident and road conditions.