Man, 21, is being held on suspicion of attempted murder after at least 13 were injured

At least 13 people have been injured and a man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car ploughed into a nightclub in Kent.

It is believed that the 21-year-old alleged driver had been asked to leave the venue following an altercation. It is not being treated as a terrorist incident.

Kent police said several people suffered broken bones but none of their injuries were life-threatening or life-changing. They said they were aware of 13 people who had been hurt, but more victims may have been injured and left the scene.

Those attending Blake’s nightclub, where the London rapper Giggs had been due to perform, described “a complete mess of panic and chaos” after of the incident shortly before midnight on Saturday.

The club itself posted on Facebook on Sunday morning to say its “thoughts and prayers” were with the guests and staff who had been affected. “We strive to create a safe and positive environment for all. Last night, however, the unpredictable actions of one individual ruined a great occasion for all,” it said.

It said it was relieved no one was “fatally hurt” and expressed praise for the “heroic action” of the door team and guests who apprehended the individual before further harm was caused.

Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) GRAVESEND: Reports of a car having been driven into the outer area of Blake’s nightclub by someone after allegedly not being allowed in. Also reports of a fight. pic.twitter.com/tY2qju9xEU

The club said it would make sure guests still waiting to collect belongings could do so as soon as possible.

Footage posted on social media showed a large car inside a marquee at the nightclub on Queen Street as clubbers were led to safety by police. Other videos showed police cars, fire engines and ambulances at the scene.

One of those who tweeted was the BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson: “A guy who didn’t get let in the club just drove his car inside and nearly killed us all.”

Another person, Liam Hunter, wrote: “Right now, I’m lost for words to explain my feelings. It’s just not something you expect to happen in your hometown.”

Jade Keepin, 18, said: “I was in the toilet in the shisha lounge when the car drove in. People came into the toilets shouting. I didn’t know what was going on, so I went out and there was a car in the middle of the lounge.



“It was chaos – people were panicking and throwing stuff at the car. I watched someone smash the back window in with his elbow and there was lots of security hurrying us into the main hall. I just went to find my cousin with my friends – we knew we had to get out.”

Keepin said she saw security surrounding the car trying to get the man out. “They were going round checking everyone was OK ... considering the situation they did an amazing job,” she said.

Another club-goer, Bradley Bowden-Coleman, 22, said he saw a man getting thrown out 10 minutes earlier and was in the marquee when the car ploughed through. “The car came up to the smoking area then stopped and reversed and drove into the tent straight towards us.”

Bowden-Coleman described pushing his girlfriend out of the way to safety, saying he was then hit from behind but got up and ran towards security to help get the attacker out of the car.

“My arm was all cut up and I was seen by the paramedics who later let me go home. There are a few people worse off than me, so I am grateful it was not worse,” he said.



“You don’t really expect that sort of stuff to happen on your doorstep. Lots of credit should be given to the security guards, ambulance, police and fire service – they were there straight away and ran in to help.”

One witness, Sonny Powar, said he saw two people being hit by the car before the driver was pulled from the vehicle.



Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) GRAVESEND update: Lots of emergency services at Blake’s where a vehicle has allegedly been driven into the nightclub. Vid: Ihsan Ahmed pic.twitter.com/KXW2Ghp32L

“It was just a normal night out,” he said. “But some guy wasn’t let into the club or got kicked out so he drove his 4x4 into the tent we were all in. It stopped at my feet so any further and I could have died. Then he reversed up and we all ran.

“We ripped the tent wall apart and got out and called the police. It was a complete mess of panic and chaos.”