A MAN was knocked down by a car and dragged at least 14m along the road, an inquest heard.

Neil Martin, 43, of Cecil Road, Gravesend, was crossing Old Road West in Gravesend, when a parked silver Ford Escort reversed into him, on Thursday, June 7.

The court heard from witness Lionel Haywood, of the Avenue, Gravesend, how the driver hit Mr Martin and continued to drag him backwards.

Mr Haywood told the court: “I shouted at him to stop. He looked at me and then drive off towards Perry Street. He had been talking on a mobile phone.”

North Kent Police Detective Sergeant Tom Duff told the court that no-one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

A post-mortem examination by pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat at Darent Valley Hospital revealed Mr Martin died as a result of a severe head injury.

Coroner Roger Hatch recorded an open verdict at the inquest at Gravesend Crown Court on Tuesday.