Crash investigators are appealing for witnesses after a woman's car came off the road and crashed into a lamp post on a slip-road leading to the M2.

Officers investigating the crash, at the junction with the A229, said a woman driving a white Mitsubishi Colt somehow lost control of vehicle and left the carriageway.

The crash happened at about 12.50pm yesterday.

The 47-year-old woman, from Maidstone, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford where she remains critical, but stable condition.

The hospital has a specialist cardiac unit and it is believed the woman was taken there after suffering a cardiac problem.

Officers from the serious collision investigation unit closed the road between the turn-off and the Lord Lees roundabout for Maidstone-bound traffic while they carried out their investigations.

The road was closed for two-and-a-half hours, before officers were able to open one lane to allow traffic to pass.

It was another hour before the road was fully re-opened.

At the time, motorists were urged to avoid the area of Blue Bell Hill and those stuck in traffic spent about 40 minutes trying to get off the slip road after the accident.

Anyone who saw the crash, including the moments before the vehicle lost control, should call the serious collision investigation unit appeal line on 01622 798538.