The wrecked car in Maidstone town centre this morning

A young woman had to be cut free from the wreckage of her car this morning when it was hit by a van in Maidstone town centre.

Chelsea Casper, a supervisor at Claire's accessories shop in Maidstone, was turning right at the lights from Fairmeadow into Earl Street when her silver Peugoet 107 was struck.

Two fire crews cut the roof off Miss Casper's car so she could be removed. She was placed on a stretcher-board suffering from injuries to her neck, hip and head and taken to Pembury Hospital.

The 22-year-old's car was struck by a van coming in the other direction along Fairmeadow.

Witness Linda Degoey said: "He was going very fast and struck her with a terrific force. Her car spun around 360 degrees."

Mrs Degoey and her daughter Samantha rushed to help Miss Casper, who was trying to get out of her car.

She said: "We told her she must stay where she was because she was obviously injured. The police were on the scene within minutes."

The driver of the van, which belonged to building firm John D Anderson and Associates, was unhurt. He declined to comment.

Miss Casper was heading for the Fremlin Walk car park to meet her mother for lunch.