Tributes, including a bottle of Stella Artois beer, have been left at the scene of a crash where two former school friends lost their lives.

Flowers and a tealight have been placed by mourners at the crossroads junction of Dengemarsh Road with Galloway Road in Lydd for the deceased - named as Beth Eves and Harry Skilton.

The pair both died in hospital after the grey Mini Cooper they were travelling in crashed through a barbed wire fence onto farming land and into a river in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Tributes left at the scene

A third occupant, a man who has not yet been named, also suffered injuries, which were not described as serious.

The stretch of water where the crash occurred at around 3.40am is known as the Dengemarsh Sewer.

The pair were rescued from the vehicle by the emergency services and taken to hospital where they both died later the same day.

A member of staff at nearby Herons Park camping site said no guests witnessed the accident, but saw and heard the emergency helicopter overhead.

Miss Eves was a design apprentice with Google and went to Invicta Grammar School, while Mr Skilton was a former Maidstone Grammar School pupil from Barming.

Both the deceased were believed to have been 21 and their next of kin have been informed.

Tributes have also been paid to the duo on social media.

Cameron Ryan posted: "Harry and Beth. I can’t describe how empty I feel knowing that when I next come to Maidstone you’re not going be there. Harry, you’re a brother, a friend and an excellent human being and you improved the life of everyone you met by being so generous and friendly.

"I hope everyone who sees this takes extra care behind the wheel going forward, because life is precious and can be taken away in the blink of an eye."

Serious collision investigation officers are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward, and particularly anyone who may have dash-cam footage taken in the area around that time or saw the Mini in the moments leading up to the incident.

Anyone with information should call the appeal line on 01622 798538 and quote HW/DC/056/19/.

Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

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