A woman has died and three other people have been injured following a serious late-night crash that forced the closure of a major Kent bridge for nine hours.

Emergency services were called to the A249 Sheppey Crossing at around 11.20pm yesterday after reports of a collision involving a grey Kia and a BMW. The vehicles were travelling towards the Isle of Sheppey when the smash occurred, triggering a large-scale emergency response.

Police, paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene, where they found significant damage to both vehicles and debris strewn across the carriageway. Despite the efforts of emergency crews, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her age has not been formally released, and her family are being supported by specialist officers.

Three other people were injured in the crash and were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police confirmed.

The severity of the collision led to the immediate closure of the Sheppey Crossing in both directions. The bridge remained shut for approximately nine hours while emergency services worked through the night and into the early morning to deal with the aftermath.

Fire crews used specialist equipment to make the vehicles safe and assist those involved, while paramedics treated the injured at the roadside before transferring them to hospital. Kent Police officers secured the scene as collision investigators began detailed forensic examinations.

A witness who was travelling nearby at the time described seeing flashing lights stretching across the bridge within minutes. “Traffic just stopped completely,” they said. “You could tell straight away it was something really serious.”

Officers from Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit remained at the scene for several hours, carrying out measurements, photographing damage and assessing road conditions to determine how the crash occurred. Recovery vehicles were later brought in to remove the wreckage.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called to the A249 Sheppey Crossing following a collision involving two vehicles. One woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and three others were taken to hospital. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this difficult time.”

The spokesperson added that inquiries are ongoing and appealed for witnesses. “Anyone who saw the vehicles prior to the collision or who has dashcam footage is urged to contact us,” they said.

The extended closure caused widespread disruption, particularly during the morning rush hour. Motorists faced long diversions and heavy congestion on surrounding routes, while some bus services were delayed or diverted.

Local residents described the crossing as a vital link between the mainland and the Isle of Sheppey. “When that bridge closes, everything grinds to a halt,” one commuter said. “But safety has to come first.”

Engineers were also called to inspect the bridge before it could be reopened, to ensure there was no structural damage caused by the crash. The road was eventually reopened once investigations were completed and the scene cleared.

The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety on major crossings, particularly during late-night hours when visibility is reduced and traffic speeds can be higher.

Police have urged drivers to take extra care, especially on fast-moving routes and bridges. “A moment’s inattention can have devastating consequences,” an officer said.

As investigations continue, tributes are expected to be paid to the woman who lost her life. Authorities have confirmed that a full report will be prepared as officers work to establish the exact circumstances leading up to the fatal crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police, quoting the relevant incident reference number.