A lorry driver is fighting for his life after suffering a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his cab.

The A2 was closed near the Tuck Inn cafe at Lower Hartlip Road, Newington, Sittingbourne, for more than an hour this afternoon after the articulated lorry ploughed off the road and into a hedge near The Cedars care home.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance said: "Ambulance crews attended following a call to Hartlip Hill near The Tuck Inn.

"They were joined by the air ambulance service.

"All crews worked together to provide emergency treatment to a man who had collapsed in a truck.

"The man has been airlifted to King's College Hospital in a life-threatening condition."

The crash happened around 1.30pm closing the main road linking Sittingbourne to the Medway Towns.

Surrounding roads were grid-locked with drivers reporting delays of at least 30 minutes.

A police spokesman said at 3.40pm: "We were called at 1.28pm to a single vehicle collision involving a lorry in Hartlip Hill, near Sittingbourne.

"Officers are in attendance and were joined by crews from the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

"One man has been airlifted to a London hospital. Officers remain at the scene conducting enquiries.

"A full road closure is currently in place to ensure public safety."

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