A tragic incident occurred at the Dartford Crossing as a man fell onto the carriageway of the QEII Bridge, resulting in his untimely death. Kent Police confirmed the unfortunate event, revealing that the man, aged in his 30s, was declared deceased after officers responded to the scene on the Kent side of the Dartford Crossing yesterday afternoon.
According to a spokesperson for the police, the incident was reported at 1.36pm on Saturday, January 6, when it was relayed that an individual had fallen onto the carriageway of the A282, near Dartford. As emergency services rushed to the scene, the road had to be closed to facilitate their response and investigation. Tragically, the man in his 30s was confirmed to have lost his life at the location.
Kent Police have declared that his death is being treated as non-suspicious, and his next of kin has been informed. Authorities have prepared a report for the coroner as part of the standard procedure in such cases.
The closure of the A282 had a significant impact on traffic in the area. The M25 was closed southbound between Junction 30 and Junction 2, leading to severe delays for several hours. Drivers heading towards the QEII Bridge encountered up to three hours of delay, causing significant disruptions in the region. National Highways, responsible for the maintenance of the road, cited the need for extensive clear-up works due to the nature of the incident as the reason for the prolonged closure.
The A282 was eventually reopened at around 10.30pm yesterday, providing relief to the commuters who had been caught up in the unfortunate incident. The community’s thoughts and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.