A family of five had a miracle escape after their car smashed into a motorway barrier and rolled across the carriageway.

Their brush with death happened on the M20 near Folkestone at 9pm yesterday.

The victims, who suffered minor injuries, included three children aged two to four.

Giles Parker, watch manager at Folkestone fire station, said: "They are all lucky to be alive."

The Ford people carrier, travelling coastbound, smashed into the barrier on the hard shoulder between J12 and J13.

It had struck the barrier so hard that it pulled away one of the posts holding it up.

"All the youngsters were restrained in child seats and the car's airbags went off for the adults in the front of the car. We believe it was these things that saved them..." - firefighter Giles Parker

The car then rolled across the carriageway and ended up upside down next to the central reservation barrier.

The victims were helped out by a passing motorist and emergency services then arrived.

Two fire engines were called and the victims were given oxygen therapy by firefighters before being treated by ambulance crews for minor injuries.

They were all taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford for checks.

The mother is believed to have suffered back injuries and the children - two girls and a boy - were bruised. One of the girls suffered a broken finger.

Mr Parker said: "All the youngsters were restrained in child seats and the car's airbags went off for the adults in the front of the car. We believe it was these things that saved them."

Fire crews were at the scene for 40 minutes and police kept the road closed until debris was cleared.

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