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Thirteen vehicle pile-up in London Road, Southborough
05:00, 11 June 2015
A lorry driver remains in custody today after a horror crash involving 13 vehicles.
The huge pile-up happened in London Road, Southborough, close to the junction with Holden Park Road at 3.30pm yesterday. One man was arrested.
More than six police cars, two ambulances, a fire service vehicle and the air ambulance descended on the scene, which was described as "horrific".
Scroll down for video.
Police arrested a 33-year-old lorry driver from Northfleet on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the accident.
Detectives are continuing to question him this morning.
Delivery company Whistl, which owns the lorry involved in the incident, said an internal investigation is now taking place.
A spokesman said: "We have begun an internal inquiry and are also assisting with Kent Police with their investigation to establish the cause of this incident."
Firefighters had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to release a man and a woman who were trapped inside their wrecked vehicle following the smash.
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance service confirmed three people had been taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.
A woman in her 30s suffered head injuries and was taken by road to the facility.
A further two people were also taken to the same hospital but none of their injuries are believed to be life threatening.
Dozens of people took to social media to express their shock at the smash. One Twitter user said they would expect this kind of carnage on a motorway, not a high street.
Many others said it was a miracle no one was seriously injured.
The road was closed off between Speldhurst Road and Western Road for seven hours, to allow forensic teams to investigate.
A number of recovery lorries were sent to the scene of devastation yesterday evening.
A trail of destruction was left with debris strewn across the road and a set of traffic lights destroyed.
Speaking to KentOnline, ambulance spokesman, Rich Airey, said: "It looks a lot more serious in the pictures than it actually turns out to be.
"The air ambulance was sent but it was not needed and it has left."
A police helicopter was also seen hovering over the crash scene. A Kent Police spokesman confirmed it was being used to take photographs of the scene to aid the investigation.
A woman who witnessed the immediate aftermath told KentOnline: "Thank goodness it wasn't 10 minutes later because all the school children would have been there.
"We left the house for a walk and it was such a shock to walk down the road and see that. It's absolutely awful and just horrific. It's unbelievable that a crash of this magnitude could happen on this road."
Officers from Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unitare still appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Sgt Glyn Walker said: "It is likely that not all witnesses to this collision were spoken to by officers at the scene. We are asking anyone who saw the collision, but who may not yet have spoken to police, to get in touch. There were many people involved in this incident, so there may be a short delay in our response to your call.
"I would also like to thank all those local residents and workers who came out from their homes and businesses to offer help to those involved in this traumatic event."
Anyone with information about this incident should call Kent Police on 01622-798538, quoting reference 10-875.
Listen to kmfm for updates.
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