Police and paramedics were called to an altercation in Maidstone last night which left three people with injuries, with one witness describing a young woman covered from head to toe in blood.

Two of those involved, a 20-year-old man from Maidstone and a 20-year-old woman from Tonbridge, were arrested and remain in custody following the fight on the high level bridge near St Faith's Street at about 8pm. It is not believed they are known to each other.

Security guards from nearby Fremlin Walk reportedly told onlookers there had been a stabbing but it remains unclear as to whether a knife was involved. Both those arrested suffered slash wounds.

University student Emma Linsley had been out for dinner when she returned to the multi-storey Fremlin Walk car park which had been sealed off by police.

The 19-year-old said: “I had been to Pizza Express with my friend and we came back down Fremlin Walk and it was all taped off.

“It seemed quite calm and we got in the car and drove down the spiral and there was security everywhere.

“I rolled down the window and the security guard said there had been a stabbing.

“There was a group of about five or six people and one of the girls was covered in blood from head to toe. Her clothes were covered in it. I hope she is ok.

“They were all hysterical and the ambulance crews were trying to calm her down. The person who was wounded must have been being worked on at the time.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service sent a car and an ambulance to the scene with one man, who has sustained a hand injury, and a second person taken to Medway Maritime Hospital.

He added a third injured person was taken from the scene by police.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed a footpath that runs between St Faith's Street over the river Medway to Buckland Hill was closed by officers while inquiries were conducted and was reopened at half past midnight.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that may help is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting reference 06-1353. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.