On Sunday, January 14th, emergency services, including firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue, faced a challenging situation on the M20 near Snodland. Responding to a severe collision involving a Mercedes and an HGV, the crews executed a dramatic roof extraction to rescue individuals trapped in the wreckage.

The incident, which occurred on the London-bound slip road of the M20 and M26, prompted extensive road closures. Emergency personnel from various services including multiple fire crews from nearby stations, Southeast Coast Ambulance Service’s critical care paramedics, and the Kent, Sussex, and Surrey Air Ambulance, were all present at the scene.

Traffic was significantly impacted, with trapped vehicles leading to delays of approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Authorities have advised drivers to seek alternative routes where possible, as a major clear-up operation is underway.

The situation was managed with the utmost professionalism by all the emergency services involved. We have reached out to Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue for full statements regarding the incident and the condition of those involved.

This accident serves as a reminder of the risks on our roads and the vital role our emergency services play in responding to such critical situations. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

A Spokesman for KentFire and rescued said:

One person has been rescued from a vehicle following a crash on the M20 London-bound between junctions 4 and 3.

Firefighters worked closely with South East Coast Ambulance Service paramedics and Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance doctors to create space for the casualty to be assessed. The roof of the vehicle was removed using hydraulic rescue equipment, before the casualty was taken to a waiting ambulance.