A man is fighting for his life after a two cars crashed into a broken down recovery truck on the Thanet Way.

The serious smash happened on the London-bound carriageway near St Nicholas-at-Wade at 9.45pm last night.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dave Holmes said: "A recovery truck had broken down and was stationary, straddling the hard shoulder and lane one.

"We believe that a black Vauxhall Astra has collided with the rear of the recovery truck. A blue Peugeot 406 was also involved in the collision."

The driver of the Astra, a 25-year-old man from the Sittingbourne area, suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a London hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

Police, ambulance, firefighters and air ambulance crews were called to the scene.

Debris was left scattered across the carriageway, which was closed for almost nine hours.

Detective Constable Holmes said: "We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or saw any of the vehicles prior to it happening to contact us."

Witnesses are asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting DS/DH/226/17, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.