A 23-year-old van driver had a lucky escape when his vehicle crashed and ended up on top of a barrier overhanging a river.

The electrician was travelling along the Sheppey Way when he lost control of the Renault Kangoo above The Swale.

The van had collided with a lamppost and then rolled before coming to rest on railings on the opposite side of the road, just before the Kingsferry Bridge.

Miraculously, he was out of the works van before emergency services arrived and walked away from the accident with chest injuries.

Firefighter Andy Taylor said: “The driver was very lucky to walk away from this. He was almost forced out of the vehicle by the impact. The van was bent up like a banana.”

The crew used a winch to secure the van and stop it toppling into The Swale.

The driver, who has worked for Kent-based Electricians On Call for two years, was taken to Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital.

Paul Macklin, managing director of the firm, said the driver spent a few days in hospital and was then discharged. He added that he would be off work for a couple of weeks with his injuries.

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