A lorry driver has been taken to hospital with "serious" injuries following a collision on the M25 earlier today (January 12). 

Essex Police was called at around 11am this morning following reports of a crash involving two lorries at Junction 30, not far from Purfleet and just north of the Dartford Crossing. 

Diversions were in place for several hours following the incident, with the clockwise side of the M25 shut to assist with the recovery and traffic stopped down to the crossing. 

All lanes were reopened by 2.22pm, with National Highways reporting four miles of congestion at the traffic's peak. 

Police have now confirmed that the driver of one of the lorries has been taken to hospital with “serious but not life-threatening injuries”. 

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called at 11.02am to a road traffic collision on the clockwise M25 between junctions 30 and 31. 

“An ambulance and ambulance officer were sent to the scene and one patient was transported to the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital for treatment.”