Hunt widens for hit-and-run driver

This Vauxhall Astra was abandoned nearby

Detectives investigating the death of a police officer in a hit-and-run incident are widening their search for the car's driver.

Traffic officer Pc Jon Odell, 30, was hit by a Vauxhall Astra while carrying out speed checks in Margate, Kent.

Officers are now extending the hunt for the driver outside east Kent.

"We have executed a number of search warrants at a number of addresses and the search area could be widened," a Kent Police spokeswoman said.

She refused to say if an all-port alert had been issued amid fears the man could attempt to flee the country through Ramsgate and Dover, or the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone.

The three people already arrested, a 34-year-old woman, a 31-year-old man from Margate and a 48-year-old man from Herne Bay, near Canterbury, have been bailed until the end of January.

Pc Jon Odell: "Personable, hard working and dedicated"

An X-reg Vauxhall Astra, which was found abandoned about a mile away at Tivoli Park, was registered to an address in Herne Bay.

Its bonnet, front windscreen and roof had caved in.

Police would not confirm the identity of the owner, but said forensic tests were being carried out on the car.

The incident happened as Pc Odell was carrying out road safety checks in a 30mph zone as part of a high-visibility campaign with six other officers in Margate.

Reflective clothing

He was wearing reflective clothing and holding up a speed camera when he was struck by a vehicle and dragged about 50 yards down the road, police said.

The officers were just about to move from Shottendane Road to another location when the incident happened at midnight on Tuesday.

Pc Odell, who was born in Felixstowe, Suffolk and lived in Margate with his partner and her 13-year-old son, was rushed to the town's Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital for emergency surgery.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene

But he died from "massive internal injuries" at 0400GMT, Kent police said.

Wellwishers have left a mass of flowers outside Margate police station with messages including "A tragic waste of a young life. Thinking of you at this time" and "Jon, everybody loves you".

Superintendent George Rogers, area commander of Thanet, described Pc Odell as "personable, hard working and dedicated".

He added that Pc Odell had been in a safe position and had held out his hand and the radar speed-gun in the correct manner, but the Vauxhall Astra had ploughed into him without slowing down.

Alcohol is not believed to have played a part in the incident.

The speed of the car was not known, but Pc Odell's radar gun was being examined, he added.

Pc Odell joined the force five years ago and was taking part in Operation Impact - a local campaign by Thanet police against drink-driving, speeding and other motoring offences.

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police's incident room on 01843 222216.