A man who died after being struck by several vehicles on the M2 has been named locally.
Jonathan Sams was fatally injured on the coast-bound carriageway near the Medway Services at around 9.10pm on Tuesday (October 27).
The 53-year-old, who lived in the nearby Parkwood area of Rainham, was on foot when struck by a red MAN HGV and other vehicles.
He was later pronounced dead at the scene. An inquest into his death is due to open on Monday, November 2.
The tragedy led to the closure of the motorway in both directions, with the coast-bound carriageway not fully reopening until the early hours of today (October 30), more than 55 hours later.
But amid the traffic chaos and lengthy delays, one motorist caught up in the aftermath has described the sadness felt by those stranded at the services, close to where Mr Sams lost his life.
Declan Zapala, a 41-year-old musician from Sittingbourne, was among those who found themselves there on Wednesday morning following the fatal collision.
He said: “It was horrible to see and to know the horror of what had happened; it felt really sad.
“There was a very solemn atmosphere in there because all these other people that were trapped in the services were in the same kind of situation.
“There was a sort of quiet sadness to the whole thing in there.”
Declan had been travelling to visit his father, who has terminal cancer, when he was caught in the disruption.
He left home at 8am for what should have been a journey of around 90 minutes to Watford, but was instead diverted towards Matts Hill Road, which crosses the M2 into Parkwood.
The bridge had been closed by police during the investigation, with Declan saying officers told him it was to prevent onlookers from gathering while forensic teams worked at the scene.
However, he said Google Maps was not showing the closure and was continuing to direct motorists along Matts Hill Lane.
He said: “Myself and thousands upon thousands of other motorists were all being sent on this diversion that went nowhere, essentially.”
After spending more than three hours trying to find a way through, he eventually entered the services via the rear entrance near the Travelodge, where other motorists had gathered.
He said: “The big thing that struck me as a cause, the main cause of much of this disruption, was Google Maps sending everyone to this link road as a diversion.
“Even though that road was closed. And the police didn’t seem to have any way of communicating to Google Maps to stop sending people towards the area.
“But I kept checking on Google Maps throughout the day, and all day it said that link road was open.”
Declan said he spoke to police officers at the scene, who told him five vehicles had been involved in the fatal collision.
The cruise ship performer had been hoping to spend time with his father between stints working abroad.
He said: “He’s got terminal cancer and he’s on palliative chemo.
“Because I’ve been in and out of the country for work, I get these moments to go and see him.”
While waiting at the services, he met another motorist who was also travelling to visit a terminally ill relative.
There was a sort of quiet sadness to the whole thing in there
Declan said: “The first person I spoke to was this other guy who was on his way to go and visit his father-in-law.
“He also had terminal cancer. It was just a really difficult day.”
He also recalled seeing families with young children struggling to find alternative routes, including a woman trying to reach a shop to buy baby formula.
Declan eventually managed to leave the services later that afternoon and continue his journey.
He added: “I am deeply saddened by what happened to the man and wish to pass on my sympathies to his loved ones, and to all the motorists involved in the incident.”
The London-bound M2 reopened at around 5.20pm on Wednesday after police completed their investigations.
However, the coast-bound carriageway remained closed while National Highways assessed it and carried out emergency resurfacing.
One lane reopened yesterday morning (October 29), before the motorway was shut again overnight to allow the remaining work to be completed.
All lanes between Junction 3 for Chatham and Junction 5 for Sittingbourne finally reopened at 4.30am today (October 30).
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Sams’ death and are appealing for witnesses and motorists with dashcam footage to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/178213/26.
