A brother and sister are believed to have died in a five-vehicle collision on the northbound M11 yesterday.

The family of a 53-year-old man from the Netherlands and a 45-year-old woman from Kent has been informed, but the bodies have not been formally identified.

They died at the scene when their Toyota car burst into flames after being struck by other vehicles and colliding with the rear of a Mercedes horse box, with five horses on board, at around 2.15pm.

The 49-year-old driver of a Jaguar car from Romford is under observation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgshire having suffered head injuries.

His passenger, a 23-year-old woman from Cyprus, who was en route to Stansted Airport, was air lifted to the same site with serious internal injuries.

The drivers of a lorry, the horsebox and a Vauxhall van received minor injuries.

A 49-year-old man from Stafford driving the lorry was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was questioned by police and later released on bail until September 15.

Anyone with information can contact the Serious Collision Investigation unit on 101 or via email atcollisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk