A dramatic incident unfolded on the M20 motorway in Kent after a tractor careened off a bridge, leading to emergency closures and significant traffic delays.
Chaos on the M20
Emergency services rushed to the scene near Maidstone after reports of a tractor smashing through a bridge barrier and plummeting onto the road below. The shocking accident forced authorities to shut down a section of the motorway, causing miles of tailbacks during peak travel hours.
Eyewitness Accounts
Motorists described scenes of chaos as debris from the bridge rained down onto the carriageway. "It sounded like an explosion," one witness reported. "I saw the tractor hanging precariously before it finally crashed down."
Emergency Response
Police, fire crews, and paramedics worked tirelessly at the scene. Fortunately, early reports suggest the tractor driver survived the astonishing plunge with non-life-threatening injuries.
Travel Disruptions
The incident caused:
- Complete closure of the M20 in both directions
- Severe delays stretching back several miles
- Diversions through local Kent roads
- Knock-on effects on surrounding motorways
Highways England advised drivers to avoid the area entirely as recovery operations continued into the evening.
Safety Concerns Raised
The bizarre accident has prompted questions about bridge safety measures and agricultural vehicle regulations on major roads. Local authorities have promised a full investigation into how the tractor came to breach the barrier.
As of this reporting, engineers were assessing structural damage to the bridge while cleanup crews worked to remove the wrecked tractor from the carriageway.
