Eight People Found in Lorry on M20 Just Hours After Essex Tragedy
Less than 12 hours after the heartbreaking discovery of 39 dead migrants in a lorry in Essex, another chilling incident unfolded on the M20 in Kent.
Dramatic Rescue on M20 Near Maidstone
On Wednesday, 23rd October 2019, eight people were recovered from the rear of a lorry between junction 8 (Maidstone) and junction 9 (Ashford) after one desperate man tried to escape and fell onto the live carriageway.
Kent Roads Policing swiftly closed the London-bound carriageway to safely remove those inside. Paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service checked all eight before handing them over to Border Force officials.
Police & Ambulance Respond to Urgent Call
Kent Police revealed they were called at 3.40pm to reports of people inside the lorry on the M20. Officers stopped the vehicle between junctions 9 and 8 and found nine people in total. All are currently undergoing precautionary health checks before immigration officials take over.
Massive Delays as M20 Traffic Grinds to a Halt
The incident caused chaos on the westbound M20, with delays stretching 7.5 miles. Travel times rocketed to an hour and a half above normal in the area. Though all lanes have since reopened, motorists are urged to expect ongoing slow traffic between Ashford and Maidstone.
