The scene of the accident. Picture: Max Hess

A woman who lost her life after a collision between a car and a van has been named as Gillian Lowndes.

The 62-year-old, from the Shepway area of Maidstone, was driving along the A262 near Tenterden just after 5.45 pm on Thursday, August 19, when the crash happened.

An Ashford man was arrested.

Her gold-coloured car collided with a white van, driven by the 20-year-old Ashford man, which was approaching the A28 junction on the A262 Biddenden Road at around 5.45pm.

The van driver, who suffered minor injuries, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed to Folkestone police station until September 23 while police investigate.

The van was from an Ashford-based electrical firm.

Police, fire crews and three ambulances were called to the scene, where the car driver had to be cut from her vehicle.

Believed to be in her 60s and from the Maidstone area, she was taken to the William Harvey Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

A fire service spokesman said: "Two crews from Ashford and Cranbrook were called and used hydraulic cutting equipment on the car to free the woman.

"She was released to the ambulance service and our operations stopped at 6.54pm."

The accident, which happened yards from the Raja of Kent restaurant, closed the road for four hours.

Police have asked any witnesses to call the Witness Appeal Line on 01622 798 538.