Swerving to miss mattress
A man died after he crashed into trees after swerving to avoid a mattress in the road.
The 69-year-old man died at the scene on Blue Bell Hill just before Monday’s evening rush-hour.
His silver Peugeot 206 came off the Maidstone-bound carriageway and smashed into trees, before rebounding back across the A229.
A mattress was abandoned in the carriageway after falling from the roof of a red Peugeot 2008.
It is not known if the driver has been traced.
The dead driver, from Chatham, had not yet been named.
Police were called about 4.35pm and two fire engines and paramedics were also at the scene.
The incident, which happened just before the Shell petrol station, saw the road closed for seven hours to allow officers to carry out inquiries and make the road safe.
The road was fully reopened just before 11.30pm.
Traffic queued back to the M2 from Junction 3 for Chatham, Maidstone and Rochester, and there were also delays on the A229 in the opposite direction as drivers slowed down.
Motorists penned between the scene and the nearest exit junction were eventually allowed to pass in a single lane.
Traffic on the M2 was diverted at the Lord Lees Roundabout and vehicles on the A229 were diverted away from the junction with the A2045.
Roads in and around Maidstone soon became clogged when traffic was forced to use alternative routes such as the A249 instead.
Commenting on Facebook, Jan Fitzgerald said: “My husband was stuck in this from 4pm through 8pm and he was only travelling to Blue Bell Hill village from Burham.
“He wasn’t happy but at least he got home. Thoughts are being sent to the gentleman’s family, RIP sir.”
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to the crash is urged to call the appeal line on 01622 798538 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk