Twenty-one injured in fog crash

Police said foggy conditions may have contributed to the accidents

An investigation is under way after almost 50 cars, vans and lorries were involved in 10 road accidents on the A20 in Kent.

The crashes all happened within minutes at around 1800 BST on Thursday, injuring 21 people.

Police say drivers travelling too fast into thick fog led to what witnesses described as chaos on the road between Dover and Folkestone.

Of those taken to hospital, seven were still being treated on Friday.

Two people taken to the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, were in a serious, but not life-threatening, condition in intensive care.

'Cars smashed'

The crashes, which involved 46 vehicles, happened between the Roundhill Tunnel and the Aycliffe Roundabout.

Two firemen who had been contaminated with a mild irritant, barium salt, were also treated in hospital.

Motorist Jim Yarlett told BBC Radio Kent: "It looked like complete chaos.

"On either side of the road, cars were completely pulled in and smashed into the central reservation.

"Police were saying get in your cars and don't move. Visibility was getting worse. All we could hear was sirens."

David Astley, chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Our emergency procedures worked like clockwork.

"I would like to pay tribute to the many members of staff who responded to the call and came in to look after these patients."

'Extremely fortunate'

Kent Police traffic inspector Mark Flight said: "Police are satisfied that the series of accidents on both carriageways of the A20 were caused by drivers travelling too fast into banks of thick fog.

"Visibility dropped from good to nearly zero in the space of 50 yards.

"Motorists should always leave enough space to stop safely.

"It is extremely fortunate that there weren't more casualties or serious injuries."

The A20 was closed in both directions for eight hours but has now reopened.

Dover Fire Station watch manager Tony Northcott said: "The shunts and bumps and crunches went back for the best part of a mile.

"Vehicles just appeared to be going too fast.

"Fog is notorious in the Capel le Ferne area."