Two men have been arrested following a fatal lorry collision on the M25 early this morning.

The men, aged 33 and 25, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the collision that occurred shortly before 2am near Waltham Abbey. 

The man who died at the scene, a 39-year-old  from Leicester, was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow where the arrested men are currently receiving treatment.

Two other people were taken to the hospital after being cut out of the wreckage, but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A police spokesperson said the men will be interviewed in due course about the crash which involved a Peugeot car and four lorries.

Chief Insp Jonathan Baldwin, of Essex Police, said the collision was a "catastrophic scene of carnage".

The M25 has since reopened but remains congested according to the Highways Agency.

Emergency services were called to the scene between junction 26 and 27, near Waltham Abbey, at 1.50am today.

Four lorries had crashed through the central reservation of the M25 causing delays in both directions throughout the day.