A 16-year-old boy has been arrested following a crash in Rainham, Medway, during the early hours of Tuesday morning (December 31). The incident, which occurred at around 3:20 AM on the High Street, involved a single vehicle that overturned and caused significant damage to nearby traffic lights near the turning for Otterham Quay Lane.
Emergency services, including Kent Police and paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), responded to the scene. Images from the aftermath show the car flipped onto its roof, with debris scattered across the road.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at around 3:20 AM following a single-vehicle collision on High Street, Rainham. Officers attended and arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of driving without a licence or insurance, and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.”
The teenager was transported to Medway Maritime Hospital as a precaution after being assessed and treated at the scene by paramedics. Police confirmed that he did not sustain serious injuries, and no additional casualties were reported.
A SECAmb spokesperson added: “We were called at approximately 3:25 AM to reports of a single-vehicle collision on the High Street in Rainham. One patient was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for further medical care.”
The collision caused temporary disruption to traffic in the area while emergency crews worked to clear the scene and restore damaged traffic lights. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Residents and witnesses with any further information are urged to contact Kent Police quoting the incident details.