A key commuter route was closed in both directions following a 13-car pile-up this morning.

Police were called to the accident on the Maidstone-bound stretch of Blue Bell Hill near the Shell garage just after 8.30am.

A 24-year-old motorcyclist has been taken to Medway hospital with a leg injury.

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Several cars, a van and a motorcycle were involved.

One driver said it looked like a car had ploughed into the back of a van, and then three or four other vehicles also crashed.

VIDEO: The scene of the crash at Bluebell Hill

VIDEO: Huge queues and smashed-up car on M2 after Blue Bell Hill crash

Another witness said a motorcyclist drove over a car and his helmet was spotted in the road.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had sent two crews just before 9am to deal with a fuel spillage.

A spokesman said no one was trapped and both fire engines left the scene at 9.30am.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called to a reported multi-vehicle collision on the A229 Blue Bell Hill, Maidstone-bound, at 8.40am on Thursday 14 January. It is reported to involve 13 vehicles.

"Secamb and Kent Fire and Rescue service have also attended and the incident initially completely closed the carriageway.

"Lane one had been reopened by 9.30am.

"Officers remain at the scene and a number of vehicles will need to be recovered."

The road was reopened by 11.15am.

A second crash involving three vehicles - a van, a yellow Mini and a silver Kia - on the Chatham-bound side near the Eccles turn-off has also resulted in delays.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called to a reported three vehicle collision on the A229 Blue Bell Hill, Chatham-bound, at 9.26am on Thursday 14 January.

"Lanes two and three of the carriageway are running and there are no reports of any serious injuries."

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