Woman dies in crash with unmarked police car

A motorist died and a Met officer was seriously injured in a crash involving an unmarked police car responding to an emergency call.

The high-speed collision happened on the A21 in Tonbridge after two Met officers received a 999 call.

The on-duty officers are said to have turned on their sirens and blue lights, but their unmarked car collided with another vehicle in the fast lane being driven by a local woman.

Emergency service workers freed the motorists, and paramedics tried to revive the injured woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the policemen had to be airlifted to hospital, although his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The officer driving the car was not seriously injured.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will decide today whether to launch a full inquiry.

The busy stretch of road was closed for more than five hours after the accident at 12.30pm yesterday as investigators looked for clues.

Police have informed the woman's family but have not yet named her.

Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit appealed for any witnesses to contact them on 01622 798 538.