SIX people suffered multiple injuries this morning when a van carrying fruit farm workers collided with a car on a country road near Canterbury.

The accident happened on the Adisham Downs road at its junction with Bramling Road shortly before 7.30 am and six ambulances and three fire engines were called to the scene.

Many of the casualties in the van suffered head injuries and some sustained fractured arms and legs. The driver of the Renault Laguna which collided with the van is also thought to have been badly hurt.

The van is believed to have been travelling from Margate to the Gomez fruit packing site at Highland Court Farm at Bridge, near Canterbury.

The casualties were taken to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the QEQM Hospital at Margate.

A firefighter from Canterbury who was at the scene, said: "It was quite a big impact and clearly the passengers in the back of the van were severely thrown about because they were no seatbelts."