Two arrests have been made after a man in his 80s was struck at a pedestrian crossing and ‘carried on top of a car for more than a mile’ in a fatal hit and run.

Police released CCTV images of two men fleeing the scene after a man was hit by a grey Mercedes in Gillingham on Monday. 

It is understood that the man had been carried on top of the vehicle for 1.5 miles after being hit at a pedestrian crossing, according to local reports. 

Images released by Kent Police show two hooded men dressed in dark clothing fleeing the area on foot while one holds a yellow number plate.

On the same day, a 29-year-old from Chatham and a 28-year-old of no fixed address were arrested and remain in custody.

Officers have asked people to submit any dashcam or CCTV footage showing a grey Mercedes estate car to help in their investigation. 

Emergency services rushed to the incident on the A289 Gads Hill at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene.

However, he was later pronounced dead, the force said.

Images released by Kent Police show two hooded men dressed in dark clothing fleeing the area on foot while one holds a yellow number plate

Emergency services rushed to the incident on the A289 Gads Hill at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene, who was later pronouced dead

Pictured: Police cordoned off the junction in Gillingham following the fatal collision

Resident Ralph Belmonte said the man was found by a postman outside his home, more than a mile away from the collision. 

‘It was distressing. It was surreal, people cannot do things like that,’ Mr Belmonte said.

‘The air ambulance landed in the field nearby, and they had drones and police dogs searching.

‘This lane has always been isolated, and there has been some incidents, but nothing to this scale.

‘I do not know what has happened to society. The police and ambulance crews were so quick. There were around 20 cars here.

‘The emergency response was well coordinated.’

The incident sparked a major emergency services response with more than 20 police, fire and ambulance vehicles sent to the scene, as well as the air ambulance and police helicopter. 

Detective Inspector Zoe Wilczek said: ‘While we appreciate the quality of these images isn’t crystal clear, we are still in the early stages of our investigation and thank everyone who has provided images and witness accounts so far.

‘We urge anyone with relevant information regarding the incident or these men to get in touch with us.’

Emergency services rushed to the incident on the A289 Gads Hill at around 12.10pm as paramedics treated the man at the scene

One witness, a 32-year-old woman, who asked not to be named, said: ‘We saw two men who were walking quite close to the road and looked a bit out of breath. They kept checking behind them.

‘There are a lot of dog walkers and runners who use that road so we didn’t think much of it.

‘As we carried on along Eastcourt Lane, we saw a group of people by a Royal Mail van. Someone was doing CPR in the road.

‘A young lad was trying to be helpful and wave us past, but we decided to turn around and came across the dumped Mercedes.’

Speaking this morning, a resident of Gads Hill, close to where the man was hit, said the roads were closed off until around 6pm last night.

She added: ‘They were cordoned off for hours. I was driving home and saw they had shut the carriageway on the other side.

‘I understand that it happened at the crossing. It is horrendous.’   

The ambulance service confirmed they were called around 12.10pm following reports of a serious collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. 

Those with information have been asked to call the force on 01622 798538, quoting reference EW/LB/093/25, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.