A toddler ended up in hospital after knocking herself unconscious when she reached out of her pushchair to kiss her mum.

Eighteen-month-old Dannika Lawrence fell head first onto the pavement outside a parade of shops in Northumberland Road, Maidstone.

The tot then became unresponsive, causing her panic stricken mother Karen to rush to the nearby Shepway Medical Centre for urgent help.

A doctor examined Dannika who failed to react to tests, causing the emergency services to be called.

Mrs Lawrence, who works as a babysitter, said: “It didn’t look like a bad accident but when she went to sleep it became very scary.

"I couldn’t get a response from her and started to think the worst.

"I know that if a baby knocks their head you shouldn’t let them go to sleep right away because they could go into a coma, but there was nothing I could do.”

The air ambulance landed in a neighbouring field, but as soon as it touched the floor the youngster woke up.

As a precaution she was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital by ambulance but was later released, diagnosed with a slight concussion.

Mrs Lawrence said:“By the time we were in hospital she was a terror – she was running around like nothing ever happened.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped Dannika. The doctors, paramedics and other staff were brilliant.”

But despite being very satisfied with the care her daughter received, the family are angry that the A&E ward at Maidstone Hospital was not available.

"I couldn’t get a response from her and started to think the worst" - Karen Lawrence

Instead of making the four-and-a-half mile trip to Hermitage Lane paramedics spent 45 minutes escorting the infant 16 miles to the hospital in Pembury.

She said: “I think it takes the mickey a bit. I know it turned out ok in this case but surely there’s going to be people who need urgent treatment.

"Surely the longer journey is going to make things worse. What happens if there is bad traffic and someone’s condition deteriorates during the journey?”