A 16-MONTH-OLD baby boy critically injured in a car crash on the Thanet Way at the weekend has been transferred to a London hospital.

The toddler was thrown out the side window in the crash, which took place at about 10.25am on Saturday on the coastbound stretch of the dual carriageway close to the Reculver turning, near Herne Bay. He remains in a critical condition.

A Y-registration blue Rover was the only car involved. It is believed the female driver lost control and hit the central barrier, which sent the car into a spin. The baby was thrown out the rear side window as it was spinning.

The driver suffered cuts to her arms and shoulders, while two other adults, also female, and a four-year-old child escaped without injury.

Firefighters from Herne Bay closed off the road in both directions to allow room for a Kent Air Ambulance helicopter to land.

The baby was initially flown to the QEQM Hospital in Margate before he was transferred to the King's College Hospital, London. The remainder of the party were treated for shock.

Leading firefighter Ian Pyart was among the first on the scene. He said: "We believe the car was following a coach party. They had travelled from Catford and I think they were on their way to Margate.

"It is difficult to know what happened. I just think the driver lost control."

The section of the Thanet Way remained closed and diversions in place until mid afternoon on Saturday while crash investigators examined the scene.