The aftermath of the crash in Brompton

by Lynn Cox

A motorcyclist was injured after a crash with a car yesterday when his machine burst into flames on impact.

The rider was thrown through the air and ended up about 20 yards down the road away from the crash site.

His bike burst into flames after it collided with a Mondeo outside Brompton Barracks in Wood Street, Brompton, at about 8pm.

The emergency services were called to the scene and although firefighters were quick to put out the flames, the occupants of the car, who had got out of the vehicle by the time crews arrived, suffered singed hair from the force of the flames.

It is believed the rider suffered head, back, leg and hip injuries during the smash, but these are not thought to be life-threatening.

He was taken to hospital after the accident, which closed the road for about an hour.

The blaze destroyed the bike and caused quite a bit of damage to the Mondeo and firefighters said soldiers on guard at the barracks helped out at the scene by giving first aid and stopping the traffic.

The guards also bravely moved the burning bike away from the crash scene so the flames wouldn’t engulf the car.

A crew from Medway fire station were called out and used foam and water to put out the fire.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "We arrived at the same time as the ambulance and as they attended to the rider we put out the fire.

"The Army guys had managed to drag the motorbike away from the car and had stopped the traffic, they did really well, it was good of them to help out.

"The fire was out very quickly and we made sure the scene was safe and the flames didn’t re-ignite, as there was petrol on the road."

A spokesman for Medway Police said the road was closed for about an hour while the scene was cleared and the rider was still in hospital this morning.