The quiet of a Gillingham evening shattered as emergency services descended upon Gads Hill, responding to a collision that would quickly escalate into a complex investigation. A life was lost, and the scene left behind spoke of a terrifying ordeal.
A baseball hat and a single shoe, stark reminders of the victim, lay abandoned at the impact site. Witnesses recounted a harrowing scene: the victim, tragically, was carried along the bonnet of a vehicle for a considerable distance before the vehicle fled.
Police swiftly established a wide cordon, stretching across Lower Rainham Road and Pier Road, effectively halting traffic and creating significant delays for motorists. The area became a hive of activity as officers began the painstaking process of gathering evidence.
A local gym owner, Tony Cottenden, described the scene as “baffling.” Returning from a workout, he found police had blocked off key routes, diverting traffic and creating an unusual level of disruption. He noted a “heavy police presence” meticulously stopping vehicles.
The search extended beyond the immediate area. A drone was deployed, its camera scanning nearby woodland in a desperate attempt to locate potential suspects who had vanished from the scene. Every possible lead was being pursued.
A grey Mercedes estate car, believed to be central to the incident, was recovered and carefully loaded onto a pick-up truck for forensic examination. Investigators hoped the vehicle would yield crucial clues about the events that unfolded.
Detectives released CCTV images of individuals they believe may be connected to the collision, appealing to the public for assistance. While acknowledging the images weren’t of the highest quality, they stressed the investigation was in its early stages.
Detective Inspector Zoe Wilczek urged anyone with information, particularly those with dashcam or CCTV footage showing a grey Mercedes estate, to come forward. Every piece of evidence, no matter how small, could prove vital to understanding what happened that night.
The road closures remained in effect, impacting commuters and residents alike, as the investigation continued. The focus remained on identifying and locating those responsible, bringing a sense of closure to a community shaken by this tragic event.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are relying on the public’s help to piece together the events of that evening and bring those responsible to justice.
