The family of a grandfather who lost his life after being hit by a minibus have said he passed away while 'putting others first'.

Emergency services scrambled to Dunes Road in Greatstone on Saturday afternoon, after reports of a serious crash involving two pedestrians and a vehicle.

John Westrop, who was a carer, had been walking along the road near the junction with Hardy Road when he was hit by a blue Renault Traffic just before 3.30pm.

The 62-year-old from Lydd was flown by air ambulance to a London hospital, but later died.

A second man who was walking alongside him was also injured, and was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

The driver of the Renault was uninjured.

Mr Westrop's family have released a tribute in the wake of his death: "John died suddenly on Saturday, June 16 doing what he always did in life, putting others first.

"He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

"He sadly leaves behind a loving wife, children, grandchildren, brother and friends."

The road remained closed near to the junction of Hardy Road for sometime after the incident at the weekend.

Daniel Knapp who lives in Dunes Road, witnessed the aftermath: "The man who was first on the scene had been walking with his wife and the dog.

"It's a private road and doesn't have a pavement, unfortunately, so you have to walk in the road.

"He saw a vehicle approach them, and strike them both.

"The first thing I knew about it was the air ambulance landing outside our house, in the field opposite.

"Then we realised there was an ambulance outside. By the time we got down there, there were a lot of police on the scene."

The Serious Collison Investigation Unit at Kent Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who saw the vehicle being driven in the moments leading up to it.

Anyone with information should call 01622 798538, quoting reference number DS/DH/83/18. Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk