A driver has died after a smash between two cars and a lorry on a “dangerous” stretch of road in Pratts Bottom.

Paramedics and police worked to try to save the life of the man, aged in his 50s, for almost an hour following the midday crash in Sevenoaks Road yesterday (December 8).

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.50pm.

The road was closed between the Rushmore Hill and Green Street Green roundabouts until the early hours of this morning as police carried out a full investigation into what happened.

Pictures from the scene show officers examining the wreckage of a black car straddled across the centre of the road surrounded by debris, next to a Howdens Joinery lorry.

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Mick and Tracey Davey, who live in adjoining Charmwood Lane, returned home late last night to find Sevenoaks Road closed and drove along country back roads to access their house.

The couple, who have four children, told News Shopper Sevenoaks Road can be very dangerous and has no traffic calming measures.

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Tracey and Mick Davey who live in Charmwood Lane, Pratts Bottom 

Mr Davey, 54, said: “In the eight years we have lived here, there has definitely been a bad accident on that road every year.”

Traffic in Sevenoaks Road on the morning of Wednesday, December 9

“And you just pray to god that nobody was killed in it,” Mrs Davey, 52, said.

“It's the worst time of the year for this to happen, right before Christmas. I can't imagine.

“Some cars are tearing down there at 60 or so miles per hour. It's a very, very dangerous road.”

As traffic returned to normal today, News Shopper counted up to 34 vehicles per minute travelling in both directions past the spot where the accident happened.

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Police investigating the crash in Sevenoaks Road, Pratts Bottom 

Mrs Davey added: “It's so narrow. When you are waiting to turn right [into the lane], other cars are flying past you.

“There are lots of big vehicles and lorries.”

Mrs Davey said she thinks widening the road or introducing speed cameras could help to reduce the dangers.

“There's plenty of room on that far side to widen the road,” she said.

“Even though speed cameras can be a nuisance, I think they could also be the right deterrent.”

To pay tribute to the victim email harriet.collier@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 07787273806.