Tractor falls off bridge on to M20 leaving man in hospital

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceqyzp0en9lo

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A section of the M20 has been closed near Addington

A man is in a critical but stable condition after his tractor fell off a bridge and on to the central reservation of the M20, police said.

The driver was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London with serious injuries following the incident on the A227 overbridge near Wrotham, Kent, at around 11:15 BST on Monday.

Part of the motorway was closed in both directions shortly before midday and at 12:40 BST National Highways said the road was shut in both directions between junction three, near Addington, and junction one, near Swanley.

Kent Fire & Rescue Service said crews had extracted one person and the road was expected to be closed for a number of hours.

An air ambulance was called to the incident on the M20

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: "A tractor travelling on the A227 Gravesend Road became separated from its trailer and subsequently fell on to the central reservation between junction two and three of the M20."

With long queues having formed on either side of the bridge, National Highways urged drivers to allow extra time for their journey if travelling in the area.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to the scene of the incident at around 11:20 BST.

Multiple crews, a critical care paramedic and the local air ambulance were sent to the scene.

A "significant recovery and repair operation" is under way, said National Highways

National Highways added that "a significant recovery and repair operation" would be ongoing for some time, with the M20 and A227 closed in both directions between junctions one and three.

Kent Police is appealing for anyone who may have seen what happened, or who might have dashcam footage, to get in touch.

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex have been contacted for comment.

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