AN ASHFORD man has died and another two men were injured in a two-car smash on the A28.

The 36-year-old man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the William Harvey Hospital at 9.45am.

The crash happened about 6.15am on the A28 Ashford Road, near Bethersden. It is understood a Mitsubishi collided with a Volkswagen Golf as the cars travelled in opposite directions.

An Ashford fire brigade crew and a Tenterden crew battled to free the three casualties from the wreckage, using hydraulic cutting equipment.

They were taken to the Harvey by land ambulance, with what were described as serious injuries.

The 36-year-old died later in hospital. The condition of the other two men is not known.

Firefighters were at the scene for an hour and a half. The road was closed and police diverted the traffic for several hours. It was expected to re-open in the early afternoon.