Trains cancelled between Sittingbourne and Sheerness after boat hits Kingsferry Bridge
12:11, 18 October 2020
updated: 12:44, 19 October 2020
A boat crashed into Kingsferry Bridge shortly after a yachtsman on-board reported seeing a bomb in the water.
The crossing, which links Sheppey with the mainland, was shut while police and inspectors monitored the situation.
The boat hit the bridge after 11am - causing train services running between Sheerness and Sittingbourne to be cancelled.
They were subject to delays and cancellations until around 6.30pm when normal service resumed.
A police spokesman said: "Police were called at about 11am after a yachtsman reported seeing an object in the river that may have been a mortar shell.
"Officers attended the scene where the item could not be located."
That same yacht is then thought to have hit the bridge and run aground.
It then managed to free itself and continued on its way.
Replacement bus timetables were drawn up to cater for passengers travelling between Sheerness and Sittingbourne.
Rail services were also disrupted in Medway where police were talking to a man stood on a bridge above the line at Gillingham.
Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
Boy, 16, found safe after going missing nine days ago
- 2
‘This rat-run bridge isn’t wide enough - someone will be killed soon’
- 3
Only shop in village to shut this week as ‘devastated’ couple leave Kent
17 - 4
A-road shut in both directions after water main bursts
- 5
Bomb disposal truck spotted in town centre