Firefighters cut the roof off the car after the crash in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Chris Davey

An elderly man is fighting for his life and his wife has been seriously injured after their car ploughed into a Canterbury roundabout.

Firefighters had to cut the roof off the car to free the couple after the vehicle rolled over in the city centre this morning.

The pair had been travelling from Military Road when they hit the roundabout at the Tourtel Road junction at 7.20am.

Kent Police said the elderly couple, from Sturry, have been taken to King's College Hospital in London.

A spokesman confirmed the man, who was driving, is in a critical condition - while his wife, who was in the front passenger seat, has been seriously injured.

Debris on the roundabout after the crash that caused traffic gridlock in Canterbury. Picture: Chris Davey

Traffic was backed up around Canterbury as emergency crews dealt with the serious crash.

Four ambulances were at the scene and the road was shut by police at Sturry Road, causing gridlock in other parts of the city.

Several roads were expected to stay closed until this afternoon.

Emergency services at the scene after a car ploughed into a roundabout in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Kent Highways