Dad-of-two Samindra Gurung died in suspected hit-and-run on A20 in Mersham le Hatch, near Ashford

A dad-of-two who died in a suspected hit-and-run was found lying in the road with a head injury by passersby, an inquest has heard. Samindra Gurung is believed to have been struck by a car on the A20 in Mersham le Hatch, near Ashford, on New Year's Day.

Samindra Gurung, pictured with his wife and two children, died on New Year's Day near Ashford. Picture: Ajaya Subba

Paramedics were called following the discovery of the injured 45-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. As an inquest into his death opened in Maidstone today, coroner Katrina Hepburn said: "Samindra died on January 1, 2025, at the A20 near Mersham.

"Identification was by police. He was located by members of the public lying on the carriageway with a significant head injury." Police arrested two men in connection with the crash after officers recovered a Silver Honda Jazz in the Osborne Road area of Willesborough shortly after midnight.

One has been released without charge, while the other has been bailed as the investigation continues.

Samindra Gurung was found with a head injury on the A20 at Mersham le Hatch, near to the junction with The Street, Mersham, near Ashford.

Picture: Google

The coroner continued: "No one witnessed the collision, however a member of the public reported an abandoned vehicle with significant front-end damage. "This vehicle is believed to have been involved in the collision.

"Samindra was pronounced deceased by paramedics at the scene." The cause of Mr Gurung's death was given as multiple injuries.

The traffic marshal was born and grew up in Nepal before moving to the UK. He lived in Pemberton Road, Ashford, and is survived by a son in England and a daughter and his wife, Kamala, still living in Nepal. Friend Ajaya Subba said: "I was really sad to hear the tragic news about my childhood friend.

"We grew up together in Kapan, Saraswotinagar, Kathmandu, Nepal, and we were friends for 35 years."

Samindra Gurung, pictured with his friend Ajaya Subba, was born in Nepal.

Picture: Ajaya Subba

The inquest was suspended due to the ongoing police investigation.

Officers are urging anyone with relevant information who may have been in the area at the time - including local residents with private CCTV and drivers with dashcam - to come forward.

Witnesses should contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference SM/MD/001/25, or by emailing email [email protected].