A biker has died after a crash with a van earlier today.

The 37-year-old local man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the A229 Staplehurst Road.

Four ambulance vehicles were sent and the air ambulance landed nearby but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The A229 Staplehurst Road at the bottom of Linton Hill was shut in both directions after the crash near Butt Green Lane until 2.30pm.

Emergency services were said to be helping out at the scene, with KCC staff shutting off the road.

Diversions were in place via Heath Road, Plough Wents Road, Maidstone Road, North Street, Headcorn Road, Millbank, High Street, Biddenden Lane, Sissinghurst Road, The Street and Cranbrook Road.

Anyone who saw the crash - or what happened in the moments before it, is asked to call the Serious Collision Investigation team on 01622 798538, quoting reference 17-0218.

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