A van driver was seriously injured after a van hit a tree earlier today.

Police and highways chiefs shut the A21 southbound after the accident at Lamberhurst, near Bewl Water.

Firefighters were called and helped to stabilise the wrecked Peugeot Boxer van while paramedics assessed the driver, a man in his 40s.

He is believed to have been flown to Kings College Hospital by the Air Ambulance.

A motorist stopped and offered first aid to the van driver before the emergency services arrived.

Crash investigation officers said they would like to speak to him and anyone else who may have witnessed the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles.

The carriageway was closed between the junctions for the A262 and the A268 to allow police officers to investigate the cause of the accident.

It was re-opened just after 6pm.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting incident reference 20-0668.