Rescuers have a lot of bottle

Road closed duRing investigation

@Matt_Leclere Motorists who witnessed a horror crash have been dubbed ‘heroes’ after they helped save a badly-injured woman trapped in a burning car.

The passers-by also righted the blazing vehicle and helped extinguish flames by using bottled water from their own cars while they waited for the emergency services to arrive.

The crash, on Saturday, has left the rescued woman critically injured in a London hospital and another driver in a serious condition in Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital.

Officers say the smash occurred when a Renault Clio travelling from Hamstreet along the A2070 All the emergency services were called to the incident on Saturday morning including Kent Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ashford, ambulance paramedics and the air ambulance.

The road was closed until 1.30pm while officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) inspected the scene.

Investigating officer PC Mark Wooding said: “For a reason as yet unknown and yet to be established the Clio veered across the carriageway and suddenly veered across the carriageway in Kingsnorth at about 8.45am. collided head-on with the Perodua Kenari GX Estate.

The Perodua then overturned and burst into flames. The Clio then ricocheted into the path of the Polo suffering minor damage.

“Members of the public turned the Perodua back onto its wheels and extinguished the fire.

Both vehicles suffered extensive front end damage.”

Witnesses are urged to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538.

It hit a blue Perodua Kenari GX Estate, which then overturned and burst into flames.

The Clio then careered into the path of a Volkswagen Polo, which suffered only minor damage.

Moments after the incident, quick-thinking members of the public righted the Perodua and put out the fire.

Posting on Kent Online Paula Tozer said: “My daughter [Pheola] was there when it happened and phoned the police to report the incident, then got out to help.

“The car that was hit flipped over onto its roof and caught fire.

“It was my daughter and a host of other motorists who all jumped out of their cars and managed to turn the car the right way up again.

“They all put the fire out with bottles of water from their cars and a fire extinguisher before the emergency workers arrived.

“I think it would have been much sadder story if they hadn’t all worked together so quickly and selflessly.

“They are all heroes in my book!

“Good to see the Blitz spirit is still alive and kicking in Kent!”

The Perodua driver – believed to be a woman – had to be cut free from the vehicle and was flown to St George’s Hospital, in London, suffering with lower arm, thorax, abdomen and upper leg injuries.

She remained in the London hospital this week in a critical but stable condition.

The Clio driver – believed to be a man – was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, by land ambulance with serious injuries to his upper arm.

He is believed to be in a serious condition, but recovering in hospital.