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Sittingbourne man arrested after Wormshill cyclist, 71, hit by car and dies has bail extended

A man arrested after a cyclist died after being hit by a car has had his bailed extended for a second time.

A 35-year-old man from Sittingbourne was arrested after David Prentice, 71, died close to his home in Wormshill on October 18.

Cyclist David Prentice died after being hit by a car in Wormshill near Sittingbourne
Cyclist David Prentice died after being hit by a car in Wormshill near Sittingbourne

Mr Prentice, a Cambridge-educated former farmer, was on his daily cycle when he was hit by a car outside the village near Sittingbourne at around 5pm.

His body was found by fellow villagers who spent hours looking for him after becoming concerned he hadn't been seen.

Two men, aged 55 and 35, were originally arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The older man was released without charge in November, while the younger man was released on bail.

He was due to return to the police station today but has had bail extended again until Monday, July 17.

Floral tributes were left in The Street, Wormshill, for David Prentice who died in October. Picture: Megan Carr
Floral tributes were left in The Street, Wormshill, for David Prentice who died in October. Picture: Megan Carr

An inquest revealed Mr Prentice died after suffering traumatic injuries to his head, torso and right leg, and the vehicle which hit him was left abandoned in a field after the incident.

Following his death, sister Diana Parker thanked everyone for their tributes.

She said: “Our family appreciate the huge support, affection and condolences from everyone.”

One villager, who was a friend and neighbour of Mr Prentice and helped in the search for his body, said: “It’s a tragedy. The car literally went through the hedge but jumped the hedge and landed on four wheels the other side.

“One of the villagers saw just after it happened but were unaware exactly what had happened and just saw the car in the field.

“We didn’t find David until about 8pm, because he was a creature of absolute habit and went for bike rides in the morning and late afternoon. He did it religiously every day.

“So when he didn’t come home we were concerned and myself and some others went out to try and find him.”

Officers from the police’s serious collision investigation unit are appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage, taken in the Wormshill area and surrounding villages, which might show the movements of the car or bicycle around the time of the collision.

Witnesses can also call the SCIU appeal line 01622 798538, quoting reference AH/DH/116/22.

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