Two men were taken to hospital after a crash involving an ambulance car, which was en route to an emergency.

The collision was reported to have happened in Fairmeadow, on the gyratory system, just after midnight.

The crash blocked the Maidstone-bound carriageway, close to the High Street.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the scene, and two men were taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.

The road was clear by around 2.40am.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “SECAmb can confirm that one of its cars was involved in a collision with another vehicle in Fairmeadow, Maidstone, shortly after midnight today. The vehicle was en route to an incident.

"Ambulance crews attended the scene and two male occupants of the third party vehicle were assessed and treated before being taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital suffering from back pain and chest and hip pain.

"The member of staff involved checked over for minor injuries.”

It comes a week after the newly revamped gyratory system was unveiled.

The new layout, which cost around £5.7m and caused traffic upheaval for almost six months, allows drivers wanting to travel to Chatham and Blue Bell Hill to bypass the bridge system, and carry straight up the A229 Fairmeadow towards the Stacey's Street roundabout.