A tanker driver who was in a critical condition after his vehicle ploughed into houses and cars is said to be improving but is still in hospital.

The man, who has not been named and is in his 40s is believed he may have lost control after suffering a medical episode while driving along Marlborough Road in Gillingham last Tuesday.

The driver was transferred to a London hospital on Wednesday last week as his condition became critical when he was at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Police investigating the accident have been examining the possibility he fell ill at the wheel.

The five tonne nitrogen tanker crashed into parked vehicles and at least five houses in the street, damaging walls and railings, as well as steps and front doors a week ago today.

Miraculously, no one inside the homes, or in the street was injured in the collision.

Police, paramedics, fire crews and the Kent Air Ambulance team were called to the scene shortly after 9am.

The tanker driver was trapped in his vehicle for some time after the smash and had to be cut free by firefighters.

Crews used hydraulic equipment to remove the roof of the cab to get him out and the road was closed off while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Kent Air Ambulance landed opposite the crash site on the Great Lines Heritage Park, but after being assessed by the emergency helicopter team, he was initally deemed well enough to be taken to nearby Medway Maritime Hospital by land ambulance, accompanied by the helicopter doctor.

The tanker is thought to have gone into the back of a dark coloured Mondeo and then smashed against a white van – just moments after the owner had got her dog leads out of it to take her animals for a walk.

The vehicles then hit a white Suzuki Swift and a dark Volkswagen Polo, which were crushed against the houses and the driver of the Mondeo was treated for minor injuries by paramedics at the scene.

The smash happened near the junction with Lock Street and nearby Paget Street was also closed by police while they dealt with the incident.

The tanker was carrying nitrogen and experts at the scene made sure it was safe before they expelled the gas from the vehicle.

This morning (Tuesday), a police spokesman said: The driver is still in hospital but no longer in a life-threatening condition.”