A doting dad-of-three described by his loved ones as kind and caring, died after crashing into a street light.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Beltinge Road, Herne Bay, days before Christmas, where Aaron Kenehan was pronounced dead.

The roofer and builder had been travelling away from the centre of town when his white Ford Transit collided with the lamppost and flipped on its side.

Laura Wood, the mother of the 40-year-old’s two youngest children - five-year-old Isla and Charlie, two - says the family was in disbelief when they received the news.

“We’re heartbroken and didn’t want to believe it,” she said. “It ruined Christmas; we tried to make as best we could for the children but everyone’s in shock.

“The oldest was in shock and didn’t believe it. She broke down crying and tried to ring him a couple of times and keeps asking for him to come back.

“My little boy just keeps looking at his photo and calling for daddy.

“He was a great dad - he was always there for them, always looked after them and did whatever he could for them.”

It is thought Aaron had been visiting a friend in Herne Bay and was driving back to his Sidcup home prior to the crash.

The van driver, who previously worked for a drainage firm, also had a 21-year-old son from a previous relationship.

“There was never a dull moment with him around,” Ms Wood, 32, continued.

“He was a kind, caring bloke and was loved by everyone. He would always go out of his way to help people; if they were down or needed him he was there.

“People will remember him for his silly jokes, silly behaviour and for being a loving and caring dad.”

An inquest opened into Mr Kenehan’s death last week and heard he died at 4.40am on December 22.

During a hearing at Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone it was revealed that a post-mortem found the cause of death to be a base skull fracture.

Assistant coroner Joanne Andrews adjourned the full inquest until April 4.

Ms Wood added: “I hope it was just a tragic accident, but we won’t know until the inquest.”

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to raise £2,000 to pay for Aaron’s headstone, to donate click here

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