A teenager was flown to a London hospital by air ambulance yesterday after her car hit a tree.

The 18-year-old was cut free by Cranbrook and Ashford fire crews following the accident at Little Paddock, Smallhythe Road, Smallhythe, at 1.08pm.

According to the fire service, the woman was treated by paramedics before the roof of the blue VW Polo was cut off to free her.

She was flown to the Royal London Hospital.

Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The road was closed until 6pm, though according to police, some members of the public took it upon themselves to move the diversion aside to allow traffic thorough.

Kent Police spokesman Jo Robertson said: “We were disappointed by that.

“Those signs are put up for a reason - for safety, as there was a diesel spillage.”