A 21-year-old man is fighting for his life and another four people are in hospital after a crash on the outskirts of Canterbury on Thursday night.

It happened on Littlebourne Road at 9.55pm.

A police spokesman said a Nissan Almera travelling towards Littlebourne left the road and hit a hedge.

A police patrol had earlier spotted the vehicle but was not following it.

The driver and four passengers, all men aged 16 to 21, were taken to the QEQM hospital where one has life-threatening injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 01622 798538.

Officers are especially keen to talk to the driver of a car that was travelling towards Canterbury and may have seen the Nissan going in the opposite direction.

The accident happened near Old Priory Farm.

The road was closed between Bekesbourne Land and Swanton Lane overnight for an accident scene investigation. It reopened early Friday morning.

Officers from the Kent Police serious collisions unit are investigating the crash