Cyclist dies and his bike is left in pieces after A2 horror smash

A CYCLIST was killed in a horror crash on the A2 near Canterbury on Friday.

Landscape gardener Graham Epps, 29, from Wincheap, died at the scene after the incident involving a silver Vauxhall Meriva on the coastbound carriageway at Boughton.

The crash was just before the Gate services at 7.40pm.

Witnesses said his yellow bike was "in pieces." Police closed the road for more than five hours to gather evidence.

Mr Epps, a director of Chapel Plantation Nursery and The Landscaper's Palette at Dargate, was a keen allotment gardener and had just taken on a plot with his girlfriend Melanie Smith.

The former Chaucer Technology School pupil was also a fan of theatre and wrote a blog called Marlowe and Beyond featuring some of his reviews.

Mr Epps was due to review Matthew Bourne's Play Without Words on its last night at the Sadlers Wells Theatre in London on Sunday.

His family were too upset to speak to the Times this week but friends posting on Facebook described him as a "genuinely nice guy."

Friend Keiren Cork wrote: "RIP Graham Epps, a true gent taken too young and too soon."

Floral tributes were also left at the scene using Mr Epps' nickname Gman, along with poems, written messages and a Chelsea mug. One of the tributes said: "G, thank you for being my friend. G is for genuine, G is good, G is for God bless my friend."

Another read: "Sleep tight G, thanks for being a top bloke.

"I'll miss you."

One poignant letter was left by a nurse who attended the scene of the crash.

She said: "My deepest sympathy to the young man who sadly passed away here.

"Also, my thoughts are with his family and the loved ones left behind. A very tragic and sad accident – my thoughts are with you all."

Detectives want to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the cyclist – who was riding a bright yellow bicycle – or the car before the crash.

Witnesses should call police on 01622 798538.

A 50 year-old man from Whitstable was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later bailed.