A Kent man is critically ill in a London hospital after a quad bike fell on top of him.

The accident happened at Broadstairs pier area shortly before noon on Bank Holiday Monday when local man Steve Dyson, 57, suffered serious head and chest injuries.

An experienced quad bike rider, he was reversing the machine before driving it to pick up Broadstairs Sailing Club rescue boats.

Club commodore Doug Spooner said: "Steve was reversing the bike in an arc when the inside wheels lifted and flipped the machine over. Most of it landed on his lower body but he hit his head badly on the concrete when he fell, which I believe caused the severe head injuries.

"He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate and then transferred to Kings College Hospital. He had a major operation on Tuesday (Aug 26) and our hopes and prayers are with him and his family."

Commodore Spooner said the accident has "deeply shocked" the club where Mr Dyson has been a member for many years.

He added: "Steve had been out sailing as part of our long distance race that morning. After the event, he was one of our team who were collecting rescue craft. He is a very popular member of the club and is a good friend."

My Dyson is married with two adult sons and lives at Broadstairs.

Police say the pier was closed while ambulance crews were at the scene.