The body of a woman has been recovered from the water near to the QEII Bridge.

Today (July 11) at around 4am this morning, police were called to the QEII Bridge on the Dartford Crossing over concerns for the welfare of a woman.

Essex Police say that a search conducted by HM Coastguard recovered the body of a woman from water nearby.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say her death is being treated as non-suspicious.

The incident led to the closure of one lane on the QE2 Bridge, leading to six-mile traffic on the Dartford Crossing and one mile congestion towards Romford.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a woman on the Dartford Crossing bridge, shortly before 4am this morning (Tuesday 11 July).

“Following a search by our HM Coastguard colleagues, a woman was recovered from the water nearby.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, she was pronounced deceased.

“Her death is being treated as non-suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123.