An air ambulance was called to the M20 after two crashes, with one involving a fire engine.

Drivers heading coastbound faced delays between J1 for Swanley and J3 for the M26 after it was shut following a serious multi-vehicle collision.

The first accident happened at around 8.20am and two fire engines were called to assist.

Shortly after, a recovery vehicle collided with a stationary engine, resulting in two emergency service workers needing to be checked by medics.

The recovery vehicle is not thought to have been responding to the incident at the time.

A fire service spokesman explained: “Two fire engines were sent to the scene and crews helped one person from the car, who was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics.

“While responding to the incident, another vehicle collided with a stationary fire engine. Two firefighters were given precautionary checks at the scene by SECAmb paramedics.”

The road remained partially closed while diesel was cleared from the rest of the road surface. It fully reopened just after 1pm and traffic has since returned to normal.

A SECAmb spokesman confirmed a man was taken to Princess Royal Hospital in Orpington after being treated for injuries by the paramedics. His condition is not being described as life-threatening.

The driver of the recovery vehicle was treated at the scene but was not taken to hospital.