Commuters endured traffic gridlock on the A249 this evening after a lorry carrying gas canisters hit the central reservation.

The HGV went through the barrier between Stockbury and Key Street, on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway, at about 11.45am.

It sparked traffic chaos as both carriageways were shut and traffic on the Maidstone-bound lanes was being diverted the wrong way up the slip road to Key Street.

By around 3.30pm, the northbound carriageway was re-opened - but the southbound stretch of the A249 was expected to stay closed from its junction with the M2 at Stockbury into the rush-hour as police investigations continued.

The lorry driver is believed to have suffered minor injuries and has been taken to hospital.

Around 15 minutes later, a tractor overturned in a separate crash with a lorry in Bobbing.

The vehicle ended up on its side in the smash on Sheppey Way, outside the Bobbing Apple services. There were no reported injuries.

Witness Gavin Crayford said: "We were driving along when we saw the tractor overturned and the damaged lorry a bit further along.

"There is such a strong smell of diesel that we had to close the car windows, which wasn't great because it's hot and we have a young baby."

Kent Police said officers were helping with a build-up of traffic.

A spokesman said: "We were called at 12.02pm to Sheppey Way, Bobbing, to reports of a road traffic collision between a lorry and a tractor.

"Police are at the scene assisting with traffic management."