A pedestrian has died after a collision involving a van in a busy residential road.

Three people have been arrested after the victim, in his 40s, was fatally injured as he walked along the pavement in Luton Road, Chatham, in the early hours of the morning.

The incident happened near the junction with Short Street.

The Ford Transit van involved in the crash had been travelling towards Chatham Hill when it mounted the footpath where the victim was walking.

The van then came to a stop against two properties.

Police were called to the area at about 12.40am.

The victim, who is from the Medway area, was declared dead at the scene.

It was like an explosion

Police say that an unknown number of occupants fled the van on foot.

A spokesman added: "However, a 45-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, was arrested at the scene.

"He was detained on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken into custody."

Two other men, aged 25 and 35 and both from Chatham, were later also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three men remain in custody, as inquiries continue.

One resident reported hearing a loud noise "like an explosion" when the crash happened.

"Many houses were damaged and a neighbour's door was broken," said the woman, who did not wish to be named.

She said she believed "a lot of people had been evacuated from their houses due to a smell of gas."

Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating and would like to hear from anyone who has information and is yet to speak with an officer.

Investigators are particularly keen to obtain privately held CCTV and dash cam footage which captures any of the parties involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 798538 quoting SCIU/134/21. You can also email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.