Man in 80s Dies in Gillingham Hit-and-Run, Two Arrested

A man in his 80s died after being struck by a grey Mercedes estate car in a collision on a busy road in Gillingham, Kent, on Monday afternoon, prompting the arrest of two suspects and a police appeal for witnesses.

Kent Police responded to reports of the incident on the A289 Gads Hill around 12:10 p.m. on December 29. The pedestrian was hit at a crossing and carried on top of the vehicle for a distance of up to a mile or more before being found on Grange Road. Paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service treated him at the scene, but he was pronounced dead despite their efforts. The car continued to Eastcourt Lane, where its two occupants fled on foot, according to investigators.

Authorities arrested two men in connection with the crash later that day: a 29-year-old from nearby Chatham and a 28-year-old with no fixed address. Both remain in custody as the Serious Collision Investigation Unit continues its probe into the fatal hit-and-run. Detectives have released CCTV images of two hooded men in dark clothing fleeing the area on foot, one appearing to carry a yellow number plate. Police believe these individuals may assist the inquiry and are seeking public help to...