A car has crashed through the front window of a hospital's reception building.

An image shows a vehicle at Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, smashed through part of the glass panelling shortly after 9.30am.

Witnesses described the scenes as "chaos" with the window shattered over the car and several staff in their scrubs and masks were standing around.

One patient – believed to be from the vehicle – has been taken to A&E while a police spokesman said no other people have been injured.

The area has been cordoned off and a clean-up operation removing the glass took place.

A spokesman for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: "We can confirm that a driver unintentionally hit the exterior side window of Marks & Spencer near the front entrance of Darent Valley Hospital in the early hours of today.

"All occupants were able to leave the vehicle with minor injuries and were taken to our A&E for treatment.

"Our teams on the ground acted swiftly and the area affected was quickly evacuated and the vehicle has now been removed.

"There has been no impact on services."

The main reception has since reopened, according to witnesses.

A police investigation is taking place to find out the circumstances of the incident.

But KentOnline has been told officers at this stage believe the incident to be accidental.

The car crashed into the glass panelling of the Marks & Spencer bakery in Darent Valley Hospital, next to the hospital's main entrance.

The shop was closed for most of the day with a sign posted apologising to customers.

Glass from the smashed windows has all been cleared up now but the area, which is used as an ambulance area and drop-off bay, is still cordoned off.

A red Lexus, which was the car in the window, has been removed and was parked nearby.

Workers in hi-vis jackets were standing guard and stopping members of the public from passing through the area telling patients and visitors an accident took place this morning.

The entrance to the hospital reception is open as usual.