Part of the A299 Thanet Way was closed in both directions for more than eight hours following a serious crash overnight.

Emergency crews shut the road between the A290 Clapham Hill in Whitstable and the A291 Canterbury Road near Herne Bay.

A witness, who didn't want to be named, told KentOnline just before 6am two small vans had crashed on the coast bound side and a car had hit a sign on the London bound side just before the Whitstable turn-off.

Just after 10am, the witness said all cars had been turned around but the road was very much closed and investigators remained on scene.

Police, ambulance crews and firefighters all attended this morning.

• Listen to kmfm for travel updates or follow our live blog.

The collision is still causing long delays on surrounding roads as drivers take alternative routes. Drivers have been told to take a diversion route from Old Thanet Way and return to Thanet Way at Whitstable.

At 1pm the road remained shut with congestion to the Old Thanet Way diversion between Herne Bay and Swalecliffe, also queueing down Herne Bay Road from Calcott to Sturry, to go via Canterbury.

The coast bound carriageway has since reopened following police enquiries at the scene, but the London bound carriageway remains closed.

A spokesperson for police said officers were called just after 4.30am and remained on scene for several hours.

"Lengthy delays are expected," they said.

"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes if possible."

This afternoon, police confirmed a woman in her 30s sadly died in the crash.

All Stagecoach services in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable, and Birchington are also facing delays due to the crash.