ford transit connect 1.9 turbo diesel 2003?

My van has developed a very strange noise today, I turned her over and it sounded as if the tappits were rattling like they would in an old petrol car, after I had gone for about 2 miles there was a bang and the accelerator pedal stopped working but the engine continued to make its strange noise. I pulled over, turned off the engine, left it for a couple of minutes, started her up again the engine still had its noise but the accelerator pedal was working again which allowed me to drive home. I don't know if the two problems are connected or if there is a fault shut off mechanism in case of a problem. If anyone knows of a possible solution before I take it to a garage I would be extremely grateful.