by Andy Gray

agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

A driver had a lucky escape after his car collided with a lorry in Seven Mile Lane, Mereworth last night.

The accident happened at about 4.45pm on the stretch of road near Wrotham Heath.

The man was trapped in his car following the crash and had to be cut free by firefighters using hydraulic equipment.

Pumps from Tonbridge and Borough Green, plus a crew and water unit from Larkfield, were also needed to tackle a fire which broke out on the lorry.

They used breathing apparatus to tackle flames after the refrigerated lorry, which was carrying fruit, exploded after catching alight.

The owner of a nearby farm used a mechanical digger to remove pallets of fruit from the lorry to make it easier for crews to extinguish the fire.

The lorry driver and the car driver, who was taken to hospital, escaped with minor injuries.

Crews were stood down by 7.45pm, but the section of Seven Mile Lane remained closed while police supervised a clean-up of the road.