A man has died after he reportedly swerved to avoid a mattress in the road and crashed into trees.

The 69-year-old from Chatham died at the scene of the accident on Blue Bell Hill yesterday evening.

VIDEO: The road was closed for nearly seven hours

His silver Peugeot 206 came off the Maidstone-bound carriageway and smashed into trees, before rebounding back across the road.

A mattress was in the carriageway at the time of the crash, having fallen from the roof of a red Peugeot 2008.

The incident happened at about 4.35pm yesterday.

The road was closed until 11.20pm to enable officers from the serious collision investigation unit to carry out enquiries and for the road to be made safe.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw either vehicle in the moments leading up to it is urged to call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DH/21/17, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.