An animal sanctuary boss described her horror after finding a group of people in a crash outside her site.

Amey James, who runs Happy Pants Ranch in Newington, was putting her chickens to bed with volunteer Dan Newson when they heard a “gut-wrenching bang”.

“The noise was awful,” she told KentOnline. “We knew straight away that it was a crash.

“Even though we were about 100 metres away, you could hear the cracking of wood and metal.

“Then a woman started screaming and I immediately phoned for an ambulance and the police.”

Once at the scene, Amey saw that a car had spun and was upside down with the bumper “flown off”.

“We were expecting to see horrific injuries or even worse,” she added. “It was a miracle.

“I saw the car and thought ‘oh my god’. They were about a foot from a telegraph pole.”

The accident happened on Saturday, April 19, at around 8pm along Iwade Road.

Emergency services arrived within 20 minutes and treated those who were injured.

One of the passengers involved in the crash messaged Amey afterwards.

It said: “I just want to thank you so much to the two members of staff who responded to the car crash that happened yesterday evening around 8.30pm.

“I was the female in the car alone with the other lads. I am honestly so unbelievably thankful for you, as it didn’t cross my mind to ring anyone and if we had crashed further down the lane and no one would have found us. Thank you so much.”

Several of those who were involved also visited the site with their family.

The reunion, which was shared via Facebook last Tuesday (May 6), has received more than 1,000 likes.

“It was unexpected and very emotional,” Amey added. “I thought it was someone dropping off another animal!

“It was unexpected and very emotional.”

“They presented me with flowers, chocolate and donated some food for the cats and dogs at the ranch.”

Those who stopped by have also offered to volunteer once they are fully recovered.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were called to an overturned car on Iwade Road, Newington.

He said: “Officers attended the scene where the four occupants reported minor injuries. They were taken to a local hospital while arrangements were made to recover the vehicle.”

The ambulance service has been contacted for a comment.