Fourteen people were taken to hospital today as Sheppey was gridlocked in multi-car pile-ups.

For the first time ever, both bridges were shut for several hours, cutting off the island from the mainland.

Of the 14 people taken to hospital, 13 were from the first crash and one from second on the old bridge.

They are all being treated at the Medway Maritime, although none of their injuries is thought to be life-threatening.

Of the 13, six were taken on longboards with suspected spinal injuries, with four adult walking-wounded, and three children.

One woman from the second crash was cut from a car. She suffered chest injuries, suspected abdominal injuries, pelvic and leg injuries. A further five others were treated at the scene.

In total, eight ambulances were sent, plus four response cars, a community first responder and the air ambulance.

Both bridges have now re-opened and traffic is starting to flow again following the three accidents this morning.

The first accident happened on the Sittingbourne-bound carriageway of the Sheppey Crossing at around 8am and police closed the road from Cowstead Corner at 8.14am.

At 8.40am, police closed the Sheppey Crossing coming onto the Island.

Police were initially called to a broken down vehicle and when they arrived they found there had been a four-car pile-up.

A Vauxhall Corsa, a Ford Ranger, a Ford Fiesta and a people carrier were involved.

As traffic queued up along the Sheppey Way, another two accidents happened.

One happened in the middle of the Kingsferry Bridge and involved two cars and a woman was cut from a silver Vauxhall Passat by firefighters.

At about 9.10am the air ambulance landed on the Sheppey Crossing and let two paramedics off before relaunching to land elsewhere.

The final accident happened on the Sheppey Way, near the old Cowstead Corner roundabout and the Kingsferry Bridge has also been closed.

Two Network Rail staff have been sent out to examine the bridge and a bridge lift at 9.20am went ahead.

Audio: Andy Payton speaks to reporter Ruth Banks at 10.30am today

A Vauxhall Corsa, a Ford Ranger, a Ford Fiesta and a people carrier were involved.

As traffic queued up along the Sheppey Way, another two accidents happened.

One happened in the middle of the Kingsferry Bridge and involved two cars and a woman was cut from a silver Vauxhall Passat by firefighters.

At about 9.10am the air ambulance landed on the Sheppey Crossing and let two paramedics off before relaunching to land elsewhere.

The final accident happened on the Sheppey Way, near the old Cowstead Corner roundabout and the Kingsferry Bridge has also been closed.

Two Network Rail staff have been sent out to examine the bridge and a bridge lift at 9.20am went ahead.

SECAmb (South East Coast Ambulance Service) operations manager, Paul Creasy, said' "This was a very difficult job, but was also a great team effort to ensure all the casualties were assessed and treated quickly.

"It showed how well the emergency services work together.

"I'm deeply proud and impressed with all our crews who responded excellently in what was obviously a very challenging environment."

Are you stuck on Sheppey? Tell us your story by joining our debate below, or send your pictures tokentonlinenews@thekmgroup.co.uk