Three people have died and two drivers have been arrested after a serious collision involving a lorry, a minibus and a car on the M25 in Essex.

A fourth person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after the crash, which occurred near Waltham Abbey around 6.15pm on Monday.

Essex police said in a statement that the collision occurred between junctions 27 and 26 of the anticlockwise carriageway, with two drivers arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Police described it as a “serious collision” and urged motorists to seek alternative routes if they intended to travel before Tuesday’s morning rush hour. The motorway will remain closed anticlockwise between junction 27 for the M11 and junction 26 for Waltham Abbey.

A statement from Essex police said: “We responded at 6.15pm to reports that a lorry, minibus and a car were involved in a collision between J26-27 anticlockwise. It remains closed.

“If you’re travelling before tomorrow’s rush hour please take another route.”

East of England ambulance service NHS trust said: “We are at the scene of a serious collision on the M25 near Waltham Abbey.

“We have sent our hazardous area response team, two air ambulances, nine ambulances, four ambulance officers and an LAS (London ambulance service) vehicle.

“Both carriageways have closed and we are treating a number of people involved.”

Fire engines from Brentwood, Loughton, Waltham Abbey and Epping attended the scene.

Richie Green, of Essex county fire and rescue service, said: “Our crews worked extremely hard in a difficult and dynamic situation.

“We thank the public for their patience while we worked with other emergency services to make the scene safe.”

Parv Domah was among those caught up in the traffic tailbacks near junction 26. He told the PA news agency that he had been in a traffic queue for “going on three hours”.

Essex police said Highways England was working to try to move stationary cars from the motorway.