Witnesses saw A21 victim Azra Kemal moments before she fell to death near Tonbridge
10:55, 30 July 2020
updated: 12:27, 30 July 2020
A young woman was trying to reach the central reservation before she fell to her death, an inquest has revealed.
Law graduate Azra Kemal fell from a bridge on the A21 near Tonbridge.
An inquest opening at County Hall in Maidstone earlier today explained the 24-year-old was trying to seek help after her car suddenly caught fire.
Coroner's officer Denis Fogel explained how the Londoner was travelling northbound on the dual carriageway when for some unknown reason the car burst into flames.
He said: "The occupants got out of the car onto the carriageway. Witnesses driving past saw two people on the carriageway approaching the central reservation, which is a bridge over the River Medway."
Azra was found below the bridge which was a 30ft drop. Emergency services were called at around 2.30am and fought to save the young woman's life, who begged them "not to let her die".
"She truly was the air that I breathe. There is no life in the home. That is all I live for, for her."
Her cause of death was given as multiple severe injuries.
Earlier this month Azra's mother, Nevres, revealed the harrowing last moments of her daughters's life.
The 56-year-old told the MailOnline Azra was "her world".
She added: "She truly was the air that I breathe. There is no life in the home. That is all I live for, for her.
“What I have heard from all her friends is that Azra would give love and try to help. She was no angel but she had that quality.
“She was my world. She doted on me and I doted on her.
“They got out of the car and moved away. They were trying to flag people down and they crossed the central reservation.
“She climbed up and there was no concrete, the reservation was not there. It was pitch black and she has fallen 40ft to the earth.
“She was still alive. An off-duty nurse was passing and saw the car and called paramedics. Her last words were: ‘Please don’t let me die’.
Her mother also revealed her daughter had called her just minutes before the accident to say she had had a great night with her friends.
She received the heartbreaking news of her daughter's death at 10am on Thursday morning.
"Two police officers came to the door and I knew. They said her name, I said her name, and they told me of her demise."
A 31-year-old man was initially arrested but has now been released without charge.
Officers are preparing a report for the coroner and anyone who has information that may be useful, should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting 16-0120.
