A man in his 30s has died after a serious crash involving a minibus and a motorbike which closed a road for more than eight hours.

Police were called to the A249 between Detling and Sittingbourne near to the South Street junction at 6.26am this morning.

Paramedics rushed to the area but the rider of a red Yamaha motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed.

The Detling Hill Sittingbourne-bound carriageway was closed for much of the day, but is now open.

The carriageway heading away from Maidstone off the M20 was earlier closed from Junction 7 at the bottom of Detling Hill while recovery work was carried out.

At 10am traffic officers were still helping lorries caught up in the delays to turn around and make their way off the closed road.

Drivers heading towards Maidstone also found themselves stuck in traffic earlier today as motorists slowed to look at the accident.

Police screened off the scene of the crash as recovery got underway.

Surrounding routes felt the knock-on effect of the crash with slow moving traffic towards Maidstone on the A229 Blue Bell Hill and the M2 heading towards the coast which has now cleared.

Anyone who saw the collision or either of the vehicles prior to the collision is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 798538, quoting reference DK/NR/127/18.

Officers are particularly interested in speaking to those who may have dash cam footage. Alternatively you can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk