A stretch of the M25 remained closed overnight and into this morning following a fatal collision.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the collision just after 11.20pm last night.

Police closed the anti-clockwise road between junction 27 (M11) to junction 26 for Waltham Abbey after an articulated lorry collided with an Audi.

Two women were pronounced dead at the scene, while a man and a child were taken to hospital. The child, a girl aged 10, has life threatening injuries. The man was uninjured.

A 32-year-old man remains in police custody this morning.

Highways England worked alongside Essex Police to get lanes two, three and four open by 7am.

Lane one is to remain closed during the morning rush hour due to barrier damage and ongoing recovery of the heavy goods vehicle, which left the carriageway.

A further closure of lane two, and possibly lane three, will be in place later to allow recovery of the HGV.

Traffic is being diverted from M25 junction 27 down the M11 southbound to the A406 (North Circular), proceeding west on the A406 to the A10 junction at Edmonton. Travelling northbound on the A10 (Great Cambridge Road), drivers should rejoin the M25 at J25 near Enfield.

Enquiries into the collision, and the events leading up to it, are being led by the serious collision investigation unit. Call 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk if you have information.