A 43-year-old woman was killed and a man seriously injured yesterday afternoon in a three-car crash on Sheppey.

The dead woman comes from London. The accident on the A249, near Kingsferry Bridge, closed the road for more than four hours, causing huge traffic tailbacks.

Swale police spokeswoman Sally Farrell said yesterday that the dead person still had to be idenitified.

The injured male victim was taken by the Kent Air Ambulance to Maidstone Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Paramedics, fire crews and police were called to the scene at about 12.28pm.

The crash involved a three-door red Fiesta, a green Peugeot car and a a blue Ford Maverick estate.

Police were advising drivers trying to get on and off the Island to turn back and several Bank Holiday sporting fixtures and other events were cancelled because of the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Swale police on 01795 477055.