FOURTEEN people were injured, three seriously, in a 40-vehicle pile-up on the A2 near Faversham today.

The accidents happened in thick fog near Brenley Corner. The A2 was closed as emergency services battled to get to the injured.

Eight people were taken to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Three of them, all men, have been detained but none of them are thought to have life-threatening injuries. The other five have been allowed to leave hospital.

The other casualties, all described as walking wounded, were taken to the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital at Sittingbourne.

Traffic was diverted off the A2 as both lanes were closed, causing chaos in narrow country lanes.

A police spokesman said: "The cause is not known yet but travelling too close doesn't help in heavy fog. It vital to keep your distance."

One vehicle involved was a car transporter which the driver rammed into a grass bank rather than hit a line of crashed cars in front.