A MAN has died and a woman fighting for her life in hospital after a pile-up on the M25 near Orpington today.

The driver of the lorry which collided with three cars on the clockwise carriageway between Junction 4 and 5 has been arrested.

Emergency services were called at about 10.15am to the incident which has caused traffic chaos all day.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene and an elderly woman flown by air ambulance to King's College Hospital with serious chest and abdominal injuries where she remains in a critical but stable condition.

The anti-clockwise carriageway was temporarily closed to allow the air ambulance to land and take off.

The clockwise carriageway is still closed between junctions 4 for Orpington and 5 for the M26 and A21 while accident investigation work is carried out.

The road was likely to be fully reopened by about 5pm.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538.