A woman suffered serious injuries in a crash at Manston last night (April 16) and a 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Kent Police was called at 9.39pm to a report of a two car collision on Spitfire Way (Manston Road) but before emergency services arrived two passers-by helped the young woman, having to move her from the car over fears it would go up in flames.
One of the men, who asked not to be named, said he was on his way home from his restaurant shift when he came across the scene.
He said: “I was on my way home from work when I came across a car, completely in the middle of the road. There was debris everywhere and the front of the car was smoking.
“Another man arrived coming home from work at the Manston processing centre. We talked to the passengers and assessed the situation and made sure the (injured) girl was ok.
“The smoke from the car was getting worse and we thought if we kept her in the car it might be that no-one would be able to get her out.
“Myself and the other guy helped to get her out of the car, the passenger door had fused shut. The Border Force guy supported her shoulders and neck and I was underneath supporting her back. We thought it was better to get her out of the car so if it went up in flames we could move her away.
“I don’t know if it was the right thing to do but in the heat of the moment the only thing we were concerned with was making sure she was alive at the end of everything.
“The Border Force guy really went above and beyond to help get her out of the car.”
The man said a driver involved in the crash appeared to have left the scene.
A South East Coast Ambulance service spokesperson said: “SECAmb were called shortly after 9:30pm to reports of a traffic collision on Spitfire Way in Manston, Ramsgate.
“Multiple crews attended the scene and assessed and treated three patients. One female was then taken to hospital for further medical treatment for injuries including to her pelvis and spine.”
A Kent Police spokesperson added: “Officers attended the scene, alongside other emergency services, and a woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody whilst enquiries continue.”
There are crazy drivers using Manston road – too fast, dangerous overtaking and sometimes verbal abuse.
Yeah, this poor girl was a passenger, I feel for her and I hope with everything that she is going to recover ok.
Life can change instantly and she is still very young, she deserves to have a normal life.
Three men on the scene. Two thinking only of the injured woman. One only of himself.
In terms of road speeds in this 30 MPH zone – these are noted on a published 7-day speed survey taken in September 2018 approximately 200 metres from the scene of this terrible accident. The average speed was circa 43 MPH, 40% above the stated speed limit of 30 MPH (despite the deterrent of ‘dummy’ speed camera warnings placed just before the speed survey was taken). Of even greater concern are the material number of readings recorded at speeds of double and even treble the 30 MPH speed limit. In addition, the report is silent regarding the types of vehicles triggering the readings, which is a material factor in terms of road safety (e.g., Citroen CV or HGV). The local MP, KCC, Thanet DC and Parish Councils are all aware not only of this – but that the area in question is official listed as an accident ‘Black Spot’. Yet nothing is done!