AN INVESTIGATION is under way following a head-on crash which claimed the life of a 57-year-old woman.

She was driving a blue Ford Fiesta towards Ramsgate on the A253 Canterbury Road West when the accident happened near Cliffsend village at around 3.45pm on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said: "The Fiesta appears to have crossed into the oncoming lane where it collided with a blue Ford Mondeo estate.

"The 57-year-old Broadstairs woman driving the Fiesta, who was the only occupant, was taken to the QEQM hospital at Margate. She later died in hospital."

The four occupants of the Mondeo – a couple and two children – were also taken to hospital.

They were a man in his 40s, who suffered back, neck, shoulder and leg injuries, and a woman in her 40s, a girl of seven and a boy of 10, who all received seat belt injuries.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said: The scene was attended by four ambulances from Thanet, Herne Bay and Westgate, a rapid responder, Andy Smith, a BASICs doctor, Alan Jones, and an officer, Mark Spicer."

Andy Smith said: "This was a very horrible accident and crews did extremely well to treat and deal with the patients very quickly."

Anyone who saw the collision or either of the cars before the collision is asked to contact the Kent Police serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538. (ref 19-0849)