A man has been arrested after a child and a man died in a crash on a bypass, while a woman remains in hospital in “critical” condition.
There was a huge emergency response to the collision in Boyle Way, East Peckham, and the route was closed in both directions following the incident shortly before 6.30pm yesterday.
The A228 Boyle Way near East Peckham, Tonbridge, was closed after a serious crash. Picture: Google
The police said a white DAF tipper truck was being driven on the northbound carriageway, between the junctions of Branbridges Road and Hale Street, when it was involved in a collision with a pony and trap travelling in the same direction.
Police, fire crews, and paramedics were called to the scene.
On arrival, a man in his 30s, who was in the trap, was confirmed dead at the scene. A woman and young girl, who had also been riding in the trap, were taken to hospital.
A police spokesperson said: “The young girl was confirmed deceased at the hospital and the woman remains in a critical condition.”
The pony also died at the scene.
The driver of the tipper, a 29-year-old man from Kent, was arrested in connection with the incident and was taken into custody.
Two air ambulances landed nearby, with one helicopter arriving at 6.44pm before leaving 10 minutes later and heading to Redhill Aerodrome. Another landed at 7.13pm and took off five minutes later towards King’s College Hospital.
Now officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to assist their investigation into the collision.
Anyone who saw the truck or pony and trap prior to the collision, is urged to contact the appeal line.
Call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference BN/JG/027/26.
Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.police.uk. Dashcam footage can be uploaded here.