Key Takeaways
- A young woman in her 20s from Faversham has died in a fatal crash on the M2 westbound.
- The incident occurred between Junction 5 and Junction 4, near Sittingbourne and Hempstead, at around 1 pm.
- A black Volkswagen T-Roc collided with the central reservation and overturned, resulting in the driver’s death.
- The road was shut, and a large emergency service presence was at the scene, including police, paramedics, and National Highways traffic officers.
- Witnesses, including those with dashcam footage, are urged to come forward and contact the police on 01622 798538.
Introduction to the Incident
A tragic incident occurred on the M2 westbound, resulting in the death of a young woman. The crash happened at around 1 pm, between Junction 5, at the Stockbury Interchange near Sittingbourne, and Junction 4 at the Brooms Wood Interchange near Hempstead. The stretch of the M2 between these two points was shut down, causing disruptions to traffic in the area. According to reports, a black Volkswagen T-Roc was involved in the collision, which resulted in the vehicle overturning after hitting the central reservation.
Details of the Crash
The driver of the Volkswagen T-Roc, a woman in her 20s from the Faversham area, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fortunately, there were no passengers in the car, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident. The police have confirmed that the next of kin has been informed, and officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit attended the scene to carry out initial enquiries. The carriageway was closed between Junctions 5 and 4 to facilitate the investigation and allow emergency services to respond to the incident.
Emergency Response and Road Closure
The incident prompted a significant emergency response, with three fire engines from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) attending the scene at around 12:50 pm. They remained on the scene until 1:44 pm, working alongside police, paramedics, and National Highways traffic officers. The road remained closed, with a large emergency service presence still at the scene. One witness who drove past the area reported seeing a barrier put up and a large number of emergency workers. Traffic information site Inrix reported that a car had hit the central barrier and overturned, while National Highways confirmed that the collision was a single-vehicle incident.
Investigation and Appeal for Witnesses
The police are urging witnesses, including those with dashcam footage, to come forward and contact them on 01622 798538, quoting reference BS/AW/092/25. Dashcam footage can also be uploaded online to aid the investigation. The Serious Collision Investigation Unit is working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, and any information from witnesses could be crucial in helping them piece together what happened. The police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle beforehand or witnessed the incident itself.
Diversion and Traffic Management
Due to the road closure, a diversion has been put in place to help manage traffic in the area. Motorists are advised to exit the M2 at Junction 5 and join the southbound A249. They should then remain on the A249 to Junction 7 of the M20 and join the M20 westbound. National Highways traffic officers are assisting with traffic management, prioritizing the safety of road users and ensuring that the road is closed to allow the investigation to take place. The emergency services are working together to minimize disruptions and get the road reopened as soon as possible.