A pensioner has died after suffering a suspected heart attack while driving through Birchington yesterday.

Station Road was closed in both directions following the incident, which saw the elderly man’s car hit a Citroen Xsara.

The 87-year-old man, who was from the Birchington area, was said to be driving a silver Renault Megane along Station Road at about 10.55am when the crash happened.

The woman driver of the Xsara, who was reverse parking at the time, was not hurt, nor was a young child who was a passenger in the car with her.

Big Issue seller Richard Broadway was one of those who rushed to the man’s aid: "The first I knew about it was when the driver of the other car got out and called for help.

"Being a nurse she knew something was up straight away as she got no response from tapping on the window."

"Me and a couple of others ran over but couldn’t get the door open so we got a chair from the cafe opposite and used it to smash the rear window to get him out.

"We then laid him down and supported his head whilst nurse performed CPR on him in the road whilst we waited for the ambulance."

"The man was unconscious throughout."

The man was then taken to the QEQM while police cordoned off the road to allow their forensic collisons unit to investigate.

Now police are appealing for witnesses.

Investigating officer PC Dave Jeeves of the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We would like to pay tribute to members of the public, including the driver of the Xsara and a man who was selling magazines in Station Road, for trying to save the gentleman’s life.

"Unfortunately despite their best efforts and the work of paramedics at the scene, he was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate."

He added: "We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading up to it yesterday. Anyone with any information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538."