The young driver of a car which crashed - killing his girlfriend - has posted a smiling photo of himself from his hospital bed, reassuring Facebook friends he is on the mend.

Mentesh Da Silva, 18, from Teynham was at the wheel of a Renault Clio which crashed into a tree in Shalloak Road, killing 18-year-old Emily Laker, who was in the front passenger seat.

Today he added the following message on his Facebook page: "Thank you everyone for your thoughts and messages.

"Unfortunately for some reason, God has taken another angel from me.

"We was made for each other. These sort of tragic events open my mind up to what really matter... so we have to value every single second we have with loved ones. Emily was really something else."

Emily's family has been devastated by her death and say she was a beautiful, kind and caring girl who had her whole life ahead of her.

She lived in Sturry with her mother, Julie Swinerd and her father Ross Laker lives in Tankerton.

He has declined to comment on the circumstances of the crash while the police investigation is continuing.

Emily, who studied business at Canterbury College, was working at the Tyler's Kiln pub in Tyler Hill when Mr Da Silva collected her for a planned night out in Canterbury.

Minutes later he lost control of his car as it headed down Shalloak Road towards the city and smashed into a tree.

Mr Da Silva, who also attended Canterbury College, was taken to a London hospital where his condition at the time was described as "serious but stable".

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident or anyone who saw the black Renault Clio being driven shortly before.

Anyone with information should call 01622 798538, quoting reference 08-0036.

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