FIVE people, including three police officers, were taken to hospital with minor injuries after a police vehicle carrying firearms was involved in a road accident.

It happened at York Street, Dover, at the Queen Street traffic lights, while the police car was responding to an emergency call.

After colliding with a red Nissan Micra, the police car crashed into railings on the central reservation, and ended up with the front of the car resting on top of the railings.

Two people from the Micra went to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital for check ups and three police officers were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. No-one was admitted to hospital, and police said all five only suffered minor injuries.

Another armed response vehicle was called to the scene so that the firearms could be transferred under strict safety procedures.

The road was closed for about five hours while officers carried out a full forensic examination of the scene for the Serious Collision Investigation Unit. Police said this was usual in any collision involving a police vehicle.

"Again in accordance with the usual policy the matter has been referred to the Kent Police Professional Standards Department," said the spokeswoman. "The investigation being carried out by SCIU is to determine the cause of the collision."