A second man has been arrested after people were injured at a huge funeral – as one of the teenage victims fights for his life in hospital.

Police were called to Tonge Road, at the junction with Portland Avenue, Murston, near Sittingbourne, at about 10.40am yesterday.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage following the serious crash.

A police spokesman said: "A 17-year-old boy was involved in a collision with a motorbike and sustained serious head injuries.

"The teenager was flown to a London hospital where he remains in a critical condition."

As part of the investigation, officers have arrested a 21-year-old man from Sittingbourne on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence or insurance.

Another man, who is 29 and also from Sittingbourne, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop following an accident.

Both men remain in custody at this time.

Kent Police received notification of the funeral the evening before it was due to take place and was therefore unable to speak to those attending to encourage them to adhere to social distancing measures.

Ch Insp Neil Loudon said: "Kent Police was afforded very little notice about this large gathering and as such a decision was made to allow the funeral to go ahead during what was no doubt a difficult time for those who had lost a loved one.

"Officers’ priority was to maintain a presence while offering protection to the wider community around any health concerns they may have had. Those who have been identified as attending the ceremony and not adhering to the public health advice will be contacted in due course and reminded of their personal responsibilities during these unprecedented times."

Ch Insp Loudon added: "Some serious incidents took place during this gathering which have had an impact not only on those who were involved, but also the wider community.

"As a result, there will be an increased presence of police officers in and around Sittingbourne in the coming days and weeks whilst enquiries take place and to provide some local reassurance.

"Our investigation continues and where there are clear acts of anti-social behaviour, crime, and persistent breaches of coronavirus legislation then we will seek to identify and prosecute these."

It comes as a police chief has reminded people to stick to social distancing measures.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam footage of the vehicles involved, is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DB/LB/037/20. Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.police.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne