Emergency services were left baffled by a crashed car with all occupants vanished.

The car had gone out of control on the motorway between Ashford and Hollingbourne and ended up on its roof.

But when rescuers arrived they could find no trace of anybody from it.

Ashford Fire Station crew manager Tim Hanley said: “There was no sign of any occupants, yet the motorway was closed to carry out a full search of both sides and nobody could be found.”

The accident had happened just before 1.45am today on the London-bound carriageway of the M20 between Junctions 9 and 8.

Mr Hanley said: “Other motorists had seen the car spinning on its roof before it went towards the hard shoulder.

“We used thermal imaging cameras to locate any occupants but nobody could be found.”

Emergency services therefore do not know how many people were in the car, whether they were male or female, or any extent of possible injuries.

Two fire engines, from the Ashford and Charing stations, were called out and firefighters were joined in the search by police and paramedics.

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