Trains were stopped after a motorist drove a car onto a railway track.

All power was switched off between Teynham and Faversham, which had a serious knock-on effect on other parts of the line.

Police said the occupants of the vehicle were 'incredibly lucky" not to have been injured and added the driver had been reported for various offences.

Train operator Southeastern first warned customers around 1am with a Tweet saying: "We've received reports of a vehicle on the railway line, between #Teynham and Faversham. All power has been discharged. We'll provide more information here as soon as we get it."

An hour later, engineers were still trying to free the white car.

It is believed the driver turned onto the tracks by mistake from the Lower Road at a level crossing at Teynham.

A recovery truck has been sent.

Southeastern said in an update: "Damage to the underside of the car means we need to wait for a recovery vehicle to winch it up, and off the tracks."

A spokesman added: "Unfortunately, nothing in the area can move at the moment as we have trains delayed at most stations up from Teynham. We are trying to get buses out."

At 2.30am the train company said: "The car has now been removed from the tracks and staff are checking the rails for any damage/spillages."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: We have been at #Stonegate level crossing nearTeynham after a car left the road and ended up stuck on the tracks. The occupants were incredibly lucky that it didn't result in injury. Driver has been reported for various offences."