Seriously ill patients had to be evacuated from the Kent and Sussex Hospital after a burst water pipe flooded the intensive care area and a coronary care unit.

Five patients were moved to other hospitals, with three going to Maidstone Hospital, one to Medway and another to Hastings.

The drama happened shortly after 11am on Saturday after a water pipe in the hospital roof, which had frozen during the weekend’s cold snap, burst.

Water cascaded through the ceiling of the hospital’s intensive care unit (ITU)before flooding the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), which is directly underneath on the floor below.

Four people were in the coronary unit at the time and were moved to other parts of the hospital.

Both units are being assessed to establish when they can re-open. Electrical wiring will need to be checked and the areas affected will also be deep cleaned.

Glenn Douglas, chief executive of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: "Staff acted professionally and ensured patients were moved safely to other hospitals."

A trust spokesman added: "Patients are being seen as normal at the Kent and Sussex.

"Any patients who require intensive care will be transferred to other hospitals until ITU re-opens.

"Coronary care patients will continue to be seen in another area of the hospital until CCU is re-opened.

"Patients who require intensive care are transferred between hospitals safely on a routine basis, depending on their care needs.

"Any other patients who need to be transferred while the ITU at the Kent and Sussex is closed can be moved safely in the same way."

No other areas of the hospital were affected.