Inquest opens into Marsh crash tragedy

A coroner has opened the inquests into the deaths of two lifelong friends killed in a crash.

Harry Skilton and Beth Eves, from Maidstone, both died on May 18 when the car in which they were travelling crashed into a stretch of water known as the Dengemarsh Sewer in Lydd.

Eileen Sproson, assistant coroner for Mid Kent and Medway, heard the two friends, aged 21, were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford but both died.

The medical cause of death for Mr Skilton, a student, and Miss Eves, a design apprentice for Google, has not yet been established.

Following the accident, Harry’s mum and dad Raine and Alan Skilton, from Barming, paid tribute to their son.

His mother said: “Harry was a beautiful, kind generous and fun loving son and brother who lived more in his 21 years than most people do in a lifetime.

“He was a bright, young star who was too good for this world and always had a smile on his face which would light up a room when he walked in.

“Everyone who knew him loved him but none more than us, his devastated family left with a huge gaping hole which will never be filled.

“We would like to thank all the emergency services involved and the many, many friends of Harry for their outpouring of love and support at this horrendous time.”

She added: “We always knew Beth and Harry were destined to be together, just not like this.”

The crash happened not far from the Herons Park camping site.

■ The full inquest into the deaths will be heard at the Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone on Monday, September 9.

Cllr Stephen Dehnel - pictured in 2017, and, right, after being elected in 2015 - died suddenly last month