A young woman is in a critical but stable condition after a car crashed into a drainage ditch.

The accident happened off B2080 between Appledore and Brenzett in Romney Marsh just before 5.30am this morning.

The blue Vauxhall Corsa landed in a ditch on its side in about six to nine inches of mud. A man, said to be suffering from several fractures, managed to escape and went to a nearby house to raise the alarm.

Fire engines from Ashford, Cranbrook and Lydd arrived on the scene. The two other male occupants, suffering from various fractures, had freed themselves from the vehicle but a female was still stuck inside.

It took firefighters an hour and a half to winch the car up and remove the roof using hydraulic cutters so she could be freed.

The woman, who was suffering from arm, leg and pelvic injuries, was taken to William Harvey hospital.

The three men, aged 20 to 30, were also taken to hospital.

Detective Sergeant Miles Bishop of the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a serious collision in which four young people have been seriously injured.

"I urge anyone who saw the incident or has information which may assist us with our investiation to phone the Serious Collision Investigation Unit's witness appeal line on 01622 798538."

The road was closed for Kent police officers to investigate the crash scene.