Family's shock at Kent mother's car explosion

Victoria Fabian is undergoing specialist treatment in hospital

The family of a pregnant woman who was seriously injured in a car explosion in Kent said they were "shocked and saddened" by the incident.

Victoria Fabian, 32, is to undergo further operations for serious leg injuries following the blast in the village of Vigo on Friday.

Her unborn baby is believed to have been unharmed in the incident.

Police have been granted a second extension to question her husband, Nicholas, 32, about the incident.

Mr Fabian, who is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, can remain in custody until Monday evening.

'Road to recovery'

The family of Mrs Fabian issued a statement on Monday, saying: "The family is deeply saddened and shocked by Friday's incident and the sequence of events as they unfold.

"At the moment all our energy and attention is focussed on supporting Vicky and her children. Vicky is in the best place and has started her long road to recovery."

Nicholas Fabian was arrested after his wife was injured on Friday

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said an eight-year-old boy who was taken to hospital as a precaution following the explosion has been released from hospital.

Mrs Fabian has been transferred to a London hospital for specialist treatment from Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

She was alone in a Mazda 323 when the blast happened in Vigo, near Meopham, at 1310 GMT. Residents have described hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke rising from the communal car park where her vehicle was parked.

Army bomb disposal experts examined two cars and residents were evacuated from 40 homes after the incident.