CAR drivers have been criticised for ignoring flashing warning signs after a serious accident on the A20 and speeding right up to the incident.

Police said the multiple vehicle pile-up in thick fog on the Dover-bound carriageway between Capel and Aycliffe on Thursday afternoon was bad enough, but the irresponsible driving by motorists following the crash shocked even the most experienced traffic officer.

Police spokesman Jon Green said: "We were disappointed by the number of drivers who, despite the fog and being warned in advance what was happening up ahead, kept their foot on the accelerator. They could have caused a catastrophe."

Crews were called at 4.50pm to the stretch of road where up to 11 cars and three lorries had collided.

One driver had his car wedged under an HGV. Another car had rolled. Together with police and ambulance teams, firefighters from Folkestone and Dover were at the scene and used hydraulic cutting equipment to free one man. He and three others were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford suffering only minor injuries.

The accident caused long delays around the area as debris and wreckage was removed. The road was shut for two and a half hours with traffic diverted through Capel and Dover town centre.

Operation Stack was also brought into force for the backlog of lorries trying to reach the port.