Two students remain in a stable condition at a London hospital after being hit by a car in Sittingbourne yesterday afternoon.

The teenagers, a boy and a girl who attend Sittingbourne Community College (SCC), suffered fractured pelvises in the accident which happened at about 3.30pm in Canterbury Road.

Jon Whitcombe, principal at Swale Academies Trust, said the Year 11 students had serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

He said both were in Kings College Hospital in Denmark Hill with their parents at their side.

Neither is expected to return to school for several weeks.

Mr Whitcombe addressed students at SCC and its sister school, Westlands, this morning to "reiterate the need for due care and attention when crossing the road".

The A2 between Swanstree Avenue and Rectory Road remained closed until 8.30pm following yesterday's accident which happened near the Flame Grill takeaway at Snipeshill.

They were hit by a Mazda car.

SCC's head of school, Neil Golding, said: "A number of staff went out to help when we heard about it. I believe it was a member of the public who came in to inform us."

"Our thoughts are very much with the pupils and their families and we hope they will soon recover."

The boy was taken to hospital by Kent Air Ambulance which landed at nearby Rectory Park.

He was admitted to its trauma unit.

The girl, whose injuries were thought to be less serious, was taken to hospital by land ambulance.

In total, three ambulances, four police cars and a fire crew attended the accident scene.

One witness, who didn't want to be named, spoke of the ensuing traffic chaos as lorries were diverted along Woodberry Drive and other quiet residential streets.

A police spokesman confirmed its accident teams are continuing to investigate the incident.

She said the driver of the car involved was not being questioned.