TWO separate accidents on the M2 between Sittingbourne and Faversham led to severe congestion on local roads last night.

The first incident happened coastbound at about 5.30pm and involved a motorcycle and a car but there were no serious injuries.

Shortly afterwards, though, there was another crash opposite the scene on the London-bound carriageway in which a white Ford Transit was in collision with the central reservation barrier. Four people in the van were injured. One of them was in a serious condition and flown to hospital by air ambulance.

Leading firefighter Mark Innes, from Sittingbourne fire station, said: "The Ford Transit was in a terrible mess because it had leapt into the air and spun round before landing on the road."

Among those caught in the huge tailbacks following this crash was Paul Redrup, from Guinness Drive, Strood, who said: "We were returning from a day trip to Broadstairs when we ground to a halt for an hour and a half. The van really was very badly damaged."

Anyone who witnessed the accidents is asked to ring PC Chris Clifford on 01622 608153.