A PEDESTRIAN is critically ill in hospital after been knocked down while crossing a busy road on Wednesday afternoon.

The 30-year old from Maidstone was hurt after being struck by a Vauxhall Astra at the junction of Hermitage Lane and Tonbridge Road in Barming.

Emergency crews were called at 2.45pm with paramedics taking the injured man initially to Maidstone Hospital and later to a specialist head injury unit in London. His condition was described yesterday as critical but stable.

Police sealed off Farleigh Lane and part of the Tonbridge Road for over four hours following the accident causing rush hour traffic mayhem.