A man is in hospital in a serious condition after a crash involving two cars and a lorry on the Thanet Way.

The vehicles collided on the London-bound side just before 10pm last night, sparking a fire.

Police, paramedics, firefighters in three fire engines and the air ambulance were called to the scene, around a mile from the St Nicholas at Wade roundabout.

The road was shut in both directions while emergency services dealt with the incident.

The coast-bound stretch reopened in the early hours, but the London-bound side remained shut until 6.40am.

Tailbacks have since cleared.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 9.50pm on Monday 9 October to reports of a serious collision on the A299 Thanet Way at St Nicholas at Wade.

"Two cars and a HGV were involved in the collision on the London-bound carriageway.

"Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to deal with a fire which started as the vehicles collided.

"A man driving one of the cars was taken to a London hospital with serious injuries.

"The London-bound carriageway was closed until 6.40am while debris was cleared from the road."

A South East Coast Ambulance spokesman confirmed crews including a Hazardous Area Response Team were sent, as well as the air ambulance.

The injured man was taken to King's College Hospital in London by road, while being treated for serious head injuries by air ambulance medics.

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