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Driver describes 'awful' scene after five-car pile-up in Chatham

A driver caught in the midst of a five-car pile-up has described the carnage left behind by two men who fled the scene.

Police were called to Watling Street in Chatham after a crash involving five vehicles just before 8.30pm.

A manhunt is underway to locate one of the drivers who is reported to have left the crash site.

Emergency crews attend a crash in Watling Street, Chatham
Emergency crews attend a crash in Watling Street, Chatham

Mark Hannen, whose car was in the middle of the pile-up, claims two men had fled from a BMW car which had driven into a car behind him while he waited at traffic lights - forcing his own car to hit the car in front, which collided with another car.

Mr Hannen, 51, had been on his way to deliver food to the homeless drop in centre in Salem Church, when the crash happened.

"We'd got a text from the FareShare scheme at Tesco to collect from the Bowaters Roundabout store, " he said.

"I'd got the food and was coming along the A2. When I got to the traffic lights I heard a bump, and someone had gone into my car - I looked behind and someone had gone into the back of them."

He said the crash caused damage to several cars, particularly the one behind him - and that drivers including himself had to be assessed for neck and shoulder injuries and shock.

"It was awful," he added. "The BMW that caused the accident - they just fled. They were two youths.

"Everyone thinks it's disgusting, because the vehicle had no insurance or MOT and it's caused injury to people."

Several cars were damaged in a crash in Watling Street, Chatham
Several cars were damaged in a crash in Watling Street, Chatham

The accident meant homeless people at the drop-in centre went without the food donations that night, but he believed the food would be used another time.

But Mr Hannen was also critical of police officers, who he said were "more interested in breathalising and questioning people in the queue than looking at the car that caused the accident".

He said he was also told to drive his vehicle home despite fears it was leaking fuel.

Police said there were no reported injuries and that the road - which was blocked after the crash - reopened shortly after 10pm.

Kent Police have been approached for further comment on Mr Hannen's account.

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