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Hit and run crash that caused car to hit house near Whitstable caught on camera

05:00, 11 November 2022

updated: 12:47, 11 November 2022

Shocking footage shows the moment a father was injured when his car was sent hurtling through a garden and into a bungalow in a hit-and-run crash.

Michael Lee, 53, was driving down Tankerton Road in Tankerton, near Whitstable, when a blue hatchback smashed into his vehicle at speed, before its occupants fled the scene on foot.

Mr Lee’s car was sent spinning through a fence, before very narrowly missing a tree and then hitting a newly-renovated house.

Three men - two wearing black and one in blue - were seen walking away from the scene of the crash, which happened near the junction with Pier Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the collision writing off both vehicles, Mr Lee luckily escaped with painful but relatively minor injuries.

His wife, Kelly Lee, 40, describes arriving at the scene.

“It was very, very frightening," she said.

Kelly and Michael Lee
Kelly and Michael Lee

"My husband was telling me he was OK but when you arrive and see all the emergency services you get scared and think 'this must be really serious'.

“Obviously it is serious but he’s managed to survive it.

"He’s OK, but there is psychological impact.

“He’s in shock, he’s sore. He’s got injuries, he’s got a sore thumb and he’s got bruising on his collar bone, shoulder and neck.

"He’s in quite a lot of pain, but otherwise he’s OK.

The scene of the crash
The scene of the crash

Mrs Lee says the smash has left the community in shock.

“It’s not the sort of thing that happens in Whitstable so I think it’s shocked a few people," she said.

“[The suspects] just sauntered off, they didn’t even stop.

"I think they were a bit shocked themselves and maybe injured but they just walked off.”

Police are investigating the crash.

One of the cars involved after the crash
One of the cars involved after the crash
Michael Lee's car after the Fire Service had helped haul it back onto the road
Michael Lee's car after the Fire Service had helped haul it back onto the road

A spokesperson said: “Officers attended the scene in Pier Avenue, Whitstable, with the South East Coast Ambulance service.

“Enquiries are ongoing to find the driver of one of the vehicles who left the scene without speaking to officers.”

The incident was captured on a doorbell camera that had recently been installed as part of renovations that were only completed hours before the crash.

The impact was enough to cause damage inside the house.

The fire service was called to the scene to ensure the building was secure.

Emergency services at the scene
Emergency services at the scene

A spokesperson said: “We were called at 16.01 on 8 November to assist Kent Police following reports of a crash in Tankerton Road, Whitstable.

“Two fire engines attended and crews helped to make the scene safe.”

Mrs Lee said of the driver who caused the crash: “I think the fact that they were speeding around there just as school finished is so scary.

“If literally anyone had walked into the road they would have been killed outright.

“We’re hoping they do get found because at the end of the day their actions have caused a danger to someone's life and they’ve just left the scene and it could have been worse - so they need to be held accountable.”

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