Witness to Eynsford crash which killed dog walker speaks of efforts to save his life
06:00, 27 January 2020
updated: 10:25, 27 January 2020
A motorist has spoken of the heroic efforts to try and save the life of a dog walker, killed when a car struck him.
Jake McDonnell was one of the first to find the victim, in his 60s, in Eynsford.
He was hit around 7pm on Saturday by a black Range Rover in the High Street and police confirmed he died at the scene.
Mr McDonnell, 20, said: "I was coming into the village and saw a massive plume of smoke. People living nearby had also heard a massive bang, as the Range Rover crashed into two cars, and came outside.
"Several of us tried our best to save the victim's life. A lady had got the village's defibrillator and was doing CPR.
"Another motorist stopped and gave me a blanket, so we could try and make the man more comfortable."
Despite the tragic outcome, Mr McDonnell, from Sevenoaks, said everyone did all they could to try and save the pedestrian's life.
He added: "We carried on with CPR until the emergency services arrived. We did it for as long as possible in the hope he could be saved."
He said the Range Rover driver also appeared to be in a state of shock.
Mr McDonnell also looked after the victim's chocolate labrador and began door knocking and calling into pubs to see if anyone recognised the animal and who it might belong to. He later handed the pet over to police. He also condemned the drivers who had seen the crash and squeezed past.
"I ended up putting my car across the road to block it, so we could have space to help the man," he added. "Some motorists could see there had been a crash - I realise they may not have been able to see a man was seriously injured - but they still decided to inch past.
"Others started beeping when I put my car in the way. I went over and explained there had been a serious accident and told them to turn around."
An ambulance was the first of the emergency services to arrive, followed by police.
Mr McDonnell added: "I just wanted to say to his family, my thoughts are with them. I'd like them to know he was in the best hands possible and nothing more could be done. We did everything possible.
"I'd also praise the other people there who all tried to help and supported each other."
Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw either the dog walker or the Range Rover beforehand, to call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798 538 or email sciu.td@kent.police.uk quoting RY/DS/011/19.
