Man, 31, is arrested after ‘woman flees blazing car and falls from bridge to her death’

A 31-year-old man has been arrested after a woman fell to her death from a bridge on a dual carriageway.

It has been claimed that the woman fled a burning car moments before the fall.

She allegedly remained alive on the land below for almost two hours before succumbing to her multiple injuries including damage to her spinal cord.

The A21 near the exit for Tonbridge, Kent, remains closed following the incident at 2.40am.

Kent Police said they had arrested a 31-year-old man from London in connection with her death as officers work to establish the ‘full circumstances’. The woman, who is said to be 35 years old, has not been named.

A ten-mile stretch of the A21 has been closed in both directions between Morley’s roundabout and the Tonbridge bypass as detectives hunt for clues. A drone has also been sent into the sky to scour the surrounding area.  

A 31-year-old man has been arrested after a woman fell from a bridge on the A21 near Tonbridge, Kent, to her death

 It has been claimed that she fled a burning car (pictured) and remained alive on the ground below for almost two hours before succumbing to her multiple injuries

The burnt out car remained on the roadside this morning as detectives searched for clues

Paramedics arrived after 2.30am and pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Two fire engines also rushed to the roadside to extinguish the burning car. 

Kent police said: ‘Officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident, including any possible connection between the vehicle fire and the woman’s death.

‘(Officers) have arrested a 31-year-old man from London in connection with her death. He remains in custody.’

A tweet posted this morning by Kent Police RPU showing a drone said: ‘Assisting with the investigation this morning on the A21. Drone teamwork.’ 

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward, including motorists with dashcams who have recently travelled in the area.

Kent Police said a 31-year-old man in London has been arrested in connection to the incident. A drone has been sent into the sky to search for clues

Vehicles remained stationary on the closed part of the A21 for more than four hours. This photo shows vehicles after they had been waiting near Tonbridge for three hours

A ten-mile stretch of the A21, which links to Hastings, has been shut due to the incident

Officers also sent a drone into the sky this morning to scour the surrounding area

Highways England has told drivers that the road will remain closed ‘throughout the day’ and warned of ‘very heavy congestion in surrounding local areas, including Tonbridge’.

A motorist who was stuck near the scene for four hours said: ‘I got here at about 2.40am.

‘Emergency services were already on the scene and traffic had been halted so there were about 20 vehicles between myself and the accident. A helicopter appeared a few times but didn’t land.

‘At about 6.15am a police officer came and took the details of everyone in the queue.

‘Traffic officers finally let the cars and vans turn around and head the wrong way up the dual carriageway at about 6.40am. But half the vehicles in the queue were lorries and as I left they were preparing to reverse for three-and-a-half miles.’ 

Anyone who believes they have information is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting 16-0120. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org