The partner of a 65-year-old man who died following a crash on the A2 this week has described him as a "much loved and caring man".

Linda Reynolds, 58, paid tribute to Len Alliston who died in King's College Hospital on Wednesday after a crash on the dual carrigeway near Ebbsfleet.

Ms Reynolds, of Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, revealed she was told by doctors that Mr Alliston had suffered a heart attack while driving.

Paying tribute to her partner of seven years, she said: "He was just my Len, and it's hard to describe him anymore than that.

"He was a much loved and caring man. I don't think it's sunk in yet what's happened.

"I'm still expecting him to ring me or come through the door at 4pm. It's just not real.

"I loved him to bits, he was my world, my everything."

Ms Reynolds admitted she knew something was wrong when the HGV driver was late home.

"I loved him to bits, he was my world, my everything..." - Linda Reynolds

She said: "He rang me to say he was on his way home, but 40 minutes later he wasn't here.

"He usually would ring me to moan about the traffic, but didn't, and I just knew something was wrong."

The kennel assistant described how Mr Alliston "loved his food" and often went to Creams Cafe. He also enjoyed spending time in the garden lawn mowing.

Mr Alliston, who was born in Bermondsey and previously lived in Yalding, was described as a great step-father to Ms Reynold's children Scott, Ian, Jenny, Jess and Ben.

He was also a doting step-grandfather to Patsy, Tony and Stanley.

Mr Alliston had a daughter of his own, Charlie, three grandchildren Micky, Sonny and Lenny, and great-grandson Stanley.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash that involved multiple vehicles.

A blue Audi A4 and a black Infiniti M35h were involved and it is thought other as yet unidentified vehicles may also have been involved.

Drivers were left in queues stretching back eight miles while police and ambulance crews cleared the road and treated the Mr Alliston, before taking him to the London hospital, where he sadly died the next day.

Police spokesman James Walker said: "Officers are working to establish the full circumstances and are urging anyone who saw the cars in the moments leading up to the collision, or who has dash cam footage from the area around the time, to contact them.

"They would also like to hear from any drivers who were involved in the collision and have not yet spoken to a police officer."

Witnesses can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798 538 quoting 25-1172, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

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