Officer dies in policing accident

Pc Philip Pratt was a civilian employee before becoming a full-time officer

A police officer has been killed as he tried to divert traffic on a dual carriageway following an earlier crash.

Pc Philip Pratt, 26, was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a vehicle on the A249 at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne, on Sunday morning.

He was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

Chief Constable Mike Fuller described Pc Pratt as a "devoted and dedicated" police officer.

He said: "Pc Pratt was a dedicated officer who devoted years to serving the people of Kent.

"He worked as a civilian employee and a special constable before becoming a full-time officer in 2005.

"His enthusiasm and ability won him praise from colleagues and members of the public he will be fondly remembered and will be missed by all who knew him.

Pc Pratt was trying to divert traffic when he was killed

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends at this tragic time."

Pc Pratt was trying to divert traffic following an accident on the A249 near Bobbing at about 0735 BST.

A woman had to be cut free from her car after it overturned on the carriageway.

She was taken to hospital for treatment to "non-life threatening injuries".

Both carriageways of the A249 was closed for a number of hours to allow Kent Police to examine the scene of the crashes.

Kent Police said it had started an investigation into Pc Pratt's death.