MAIDSTONE — A tragic single-vehicle crash near Maidstone has claimed the life of a man in his 40s, prompting an urgent appeal from Kent Police for witnesses and dashcam footage.
The devastating incident occurred at approximately 1:27 pm on Saturday 13 June 2026, on London Road in Ditton. Emergency services rushed to the scene opposite the entrance of the Lidl supermarket after a silver Vauxhall Astra veered off the tarmac, crashing violently into a tree and nearby fencing.
The driver, who suffered critical injuries in the impact, was treated at the roadside before being airlifted to a major trauma centre in London. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he later succumbed to his injuries. Kent Police have confirmed that his next of kin have been informed of the tragedy.
Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit have launched a full enquiry into the circumstances leading up to the fatal crash. Officers are now making a desperate plea to the public, urging anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have spotted the silver Astra in the moments leading up to the impact, to come forward immediately.
Motorists who were driving along London Road around the time of the incident are also being asked to urgently review their dashcam footage for anything that might assist the ongoing investigation.
How to Help the Investigation
Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage can upload it directly to the police via the dedicated online portal at https://kep.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/rtca20ditton. Alternatively, witnesses can contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit directly on 01622 798538, or via email at sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference RY/LB/049/26.