A POLICE officer has died at the Royal London Hospital in East London after being hit while putting out warning signs following an earlier road crash. Pc Philip Pratt, 26, was airlifted 40 miles after being treated at the road side near Sittingbourne in Kent yesterday morning (Sunday).

A POLICE officer has died at the Royal London Hospital in East London after being struck in a road accident while putting out warning signs following an earlier crash.

He was named as 26-year-old Pc Philip Pratt, who was airlifted 40 miles to Whitechapel after being treated at the road side near Sittingbourne in Kent yesterday morning (Sunday).

The Chief Constable of Kent, Michael Fuller, paid tribute today to the young Pc.

“He was a dedicated officer who devoted years to serving the public,” said the police chief.

“His enthusiasm and ability won him praise from colleagues and the public and he will be missed by all who knew him.”

An investigation had begun into the accident when Pc Pratt was erecting signs to motorists about an early morning crash on the busy A249.

A woman in the original accident had to be cut free from her car after it overturned on the road.