A MAN was airlifted to hospital and a woman cut free from her car when an articulated lorry carrying a refrigerated load of apples overturned onto two vehicles.

Junction 7 of the M20 near Maidstone, and the A249 Detling Hill, was closed following the accident at about 4.10pm on Tuesday, causing major delays to motorists.

The 25-year-old man, who had been driving a Mitsubishi pick-up truck, suffered back injuries and was taken to Maidstone Hospital by Kent Air Ambulance.

A 25-year-old woman who was at the wheel of a Seat car received pelvic and back injuries and was freed by firefighters before being taken to Maidstone Hospital by land. Her injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

The coastbound slip road at Junction 7 was closed while emergency crews dealt with the incident, but it had reopened within an hour.

Traffic coming out of Maidstone was diverted away from the area towards Sittingbourne along the A249, and the junction was closed to traffic going into Maidstone.

Police said traffic in the area was very heavy coastbound, with tailbacks reported to Junction 5 of the M20, at Aylesford.

The road was reopened at about 3.50am on Wednesday.