A woman who says her phone was stolen while helping casualties in a crash is warning others of opportunist thieves.

Abi Skardon, 43, who lives just metres from the Deal to Sandwich Road, heard a "massive bang" prompting her to dash to the scene of the two-car collision, yesterday.

She threw her mobile phone into the car of two elderly people in a rush to help them as she focused on turning their engine off, pulling the handbrake up and attempting to open the driver's door.

As the first-aid trained fitness instructor went to help the patients in the second car she realised she had left her iPhone 7 Plus on the seat of the other vehicle, but presumed it was likely to have been crushed by machinery when the driver was cut free.

The mum-of-two was astounded to discover that later that day her device was found in a bin outside Dover District Leisure Centre. Her bank card, which was tucked in the case, had been stolen.

She said: "So it seems somebody 'helping' was an opportunist thief. People never cease to amaze me.

"I’m still so shocked. There’s some really horrible people out there. Everyone in the accident was extremely lucky to get out alive bless them. That was all I was worried about.

"Scarily when I spoke to the insurance company they said it wasn’t the first time they’d heard of something like this happening."

Mrs Skardon had cancelled the bank card as soon as she misplaced her belongings and was insured so hadn't reported the theft to the police.

An acquaintance who knows the fitness instructor who runs The Fitness Mix in Deal found the phone in the bin and made contact.

She added: "I’d just advise people to be vigilant at all times.

"Sadly there’s people out there that take advantage of horrible situations and good people."

Five people were injured as a result of the collision at 1.30pm which cause major queues in the area throughout the afternoon.

Hydraulic rescue equipment was used to remove the roof of one car, freeing one man.

All those involved were treated by paramedics on the scene.

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