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Tunbridge Wells: Kyle Careford's brother hopes harrowing footage released of the crash which killed him and Michael Owen saves lives

18:00, 13 October 2015

The brother of a man whose last moments were captured in a harrowing film hopes lives will be saved by releasing the footage.

Zac Hemming said his entire world fell apart when his 20-year-old brother, Kyle Careford, died instantly alongside Michael Owen when their car crashed into a church wall in April.

Mr Owen, 21 filmed their journey as they sped at up to 90mph through the Sussex countryside in his red Renault Clio.

Scroll down for video. Warning: some viewers may find the footage distressing.

21-year-old Kyle Careford passed away in the crash.
21-year-old Kyle Careford passed away in the crash.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen

An inquest into their deaths, held last week, heard how the pair from Tunbridge Wells had taken a cocktail of prescribed and illegal drugs before driving.

The car careered off the B2100, smashing through a wall into the grounds of St Michael and All Saints church in Crowborough.

Tributes to the pair poured in after the fatal accident.

Their families have now supported the release of the harrowing video as a warning to other young drivers.

Mr Hemming, who described Mr Careford as his best friend, said: "He was somebody that was very fun loving, very caring and somebody that you would always want to be your friend.

Zac Hemming. Picture: ITV
Zac Hemming. Picture: ITV
The footage showed the speedometer exceeding 90mph
The footage showed the speedometer exceeding 90mph

"He has his little moments that every young person does that unfortunately you have no control over. When they get to a certain age they have to make their own choices and sometimes the wrong ones.

"When I got the phone call my whole world fell apart it’s the worst phone call you can ever imagine receiving. The video is something nobody should ever have to watch but it gave us answers about the crash.

"It's horrible to see it broadcast everywhere but the message is something that hopefully get through to at least one person and save their life.

"If we can make a change to just one driver in the UK there will be some positive out of this. I’m angry at the way he made his choice but that won’t change anything now.

"You can’t condone or defend the way they were driving but there is a bigger message that needs to be portrayed. Young people need to be made aware that cars are not toys they’re lethal weapons.

"There is young men driving around like idiots all day every day all over the country. This is an example of what happens when it all goes wrong. It’s shattered out family it's heartbreaking. Both of the boys were too young it’s tragic.

Passenger Michael Owen filmed his final moments
Passenger Michael Owen filmed his final moments
Driver Kyle Careford, moments before he was killed in the crash
Driver Kyle Careford, moments before he was killed in the crash

"Life is completely different without him. We have to try and do something good out of this complete mess. If one person sits their son or daughter down and explains this is what happens when you drive like an idiot then it’s done good.

"This the ultimate price. This is what happens when you drive carelessly. Driving carelessly will kill and it does. There’s no coming back from it."

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