Pentney, 20, of Lavender Hill, was tragically crushed to death while carrying out repairs as he worked at roadworks on the Sevenoaks bypass.

Details of what happened are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Police.

But warnings circulating the industry following the incident suggest a hiab type lorry rolled into a stationary trailer, crushing Pentney.

The A21 sits within the Highways Agency’s Area 4, which is managed by joint venture Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald.

Balfour Beatty said in a statement: “We can confirm that a road worker, working on behalf of the Highways Agency, has died in an incident overnight on the A21 near Sevenoaks.

“Our deepest sympathies are with this person’s family, friends and colleagues at this time.

“We are liaising with Kent Police and the Health and Safety Executive to help their investigations, and while these continue it would not be appropriate to comment further.”