A road has been closed and a woman taken to hospital after a serious incident involving a bin lorry and a car.

The refuse truck ploughed through a road sign and ended up in a bush after reports of a crash at around 6am.

Officers were called to Heath Road in Langley, near Maidstone, where a second car – described as a white Nissan by witnesses – was heavily damaged.

A 62-year-old woman is understood to have suffered serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for urgent treatment.

One man who lives in the area said: “There was a crash at the top of Heath Road, by the crossroads this morning.

“Seems the lorry was trying to avoid it or was involved in it. This is all because a diversion from Sutton Road out hasn’t been sorted.

“It’s just dangerous and residents are being ignored about our concerns and warnings.”

Another villager who heard sirens in the early hours, said: “There was a white car all crushed up near the crossroads for Ulcombe Road, Leeds Road and Heath Road.

“The car was on the road still, but there wasn’t much left of it. Loads of parts are scattered across the road.”

At least two fire engines and police vehicles have been spotted at the scene.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 6.15am to a collision involving a refuse lorry and a car in Heath Road.

“Officers attended along with fire and ambulance crews and there were no serious injuries reported. A woman was taken to a local hospital.”

A fire service spokesman added: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 6.17am today to reports of a crash involving two vehicles in Ulcombe Road, Langley.

“Two fire engines attended, and crews helped to make the scene safe and provide first aid to one person, who was passed into the care of SECAmb paramedics. Duty of care was left with Kent Police.”