A woman has been taken to hospital after a crash involving a prison van near the Asda supermarket in Gillingham.

She had to be rescued by firefighters, who could only get her out by cutting the roof off her car.

Firefighter Ben Thurston from Chatham station said: "We were called to reports of an RTC, and when we got there found it was between a private vehicle and a prisoner transfer vehicle.

"One person was trapped in the car. The driver of the van was in shock and his escort in the back had some injuries as well."

Mr Thurston, who was the duty fire engine driver, said he did not know how many prisoners were in the van.

Firefighters from Strood station provided battery powered cutting equipment to assist with getting the woman out of the car.

Crews were at the scene for around one and a half hour.

A GEOAmey spokesmanon confirmed that a GEOAmey vehicle was involved in the accident.

She said: “Both GEOAmey officers were taken to hospital from the scene and released later that evening. GEOAmey will assist Kent police with any investigation.”

Pier Road was closed in both directions between the Medway Tunnel/Maritime Way and the B2004 Gate Road until 8.45pm.

The crash happened at around 6.48pm and traffic was diverted via the Medway Tunnel.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 6.48pm to a report of a collision between two vehicles on Pier Road in Gillingham.

"Officers, Kent Fire and Rescue and the South East Ambulance Service all attended the scene and fire crews had to remove the roof of the one of the vehicles, as a woman was trapped.

"The woman was taken to hospital as a precaution but there were no serious injuries reported. The road was reopened by 8.45pm."

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