A man is in a serious condition in hospital after being thrown from his car during a crash on the A249 near Iwade.

He suffered multiple injuries when his Ford Fiesta collided with a heavy goods vehicle on the Sheppey-bound carriageway at around 10.45pm yesterday.

The impact was so severe that the driver's vehicle overturned and ended up landing on top of him.

Firefighters were called and used air bags to free the man, in his 20s, from the car.

Two ambulances and two paramedic vehicles also attended and an air ambulance was scrambled.

An ambulance spokesman confirmed the car driver suffered head injuries and was taken to King's College Hospital in London by road.

It is understood the air ambulance was unable to make it straight to the scene, but a crew later met up with the emergency vehicle at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford and helped treat the casualty on route to hospital.

The lorry driver was said to be "shaken" but escaped injury.

Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit confirmed the road, near the Kemsley turnoff, remained closed until 5am.

Investigating officer PC Simon Masterson said: "Officers from the serious collision investigation unit attended the scene and are asking for any witnesses who saw the vehicles prior to the collision or the collision itself to contact the witness appeal line on 01622 798538 or e-mail sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting incident 04-1582."

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