Crash victim's mum calls for speed cut

The mother of a teenager who died in a crash is calling for a speed reduction on the Kent road where her son was killed.

Ethan Entwistle, 18, died when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree in Dumpton Park Drive, Broadstairs, on 1 October.

His mother has launched a petition urging Kent County Council (KCC) to prevent future deaths by installing speed reduction measures in the “accident hotspot”.

The council said Kent Police will undertake a “robust” investigation to establish how the crash happened.

Two people have been killed in crashes in the 30mph road in the past two years, including Ethan, who was killed two days before his 19th birthday.

Cyclist Jacqueline McFarling, 54, died in a crash on the road in January 2023.

Ethan’s mother, Keena Entwistle-Lewis, from Thanet, said installing speed cameras and better lighting, and reducing the speed limit could help prevent others having to suffer.

“Speed is an issue along that long, straight stretch of road,” she said. “If you’re driving that road fast and it’s night time, you can’t see what is happening.

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“I just need something done. Be it speed humps, speed cameras. Anything to slow people down.

“I don’t want anyone else to ever have to suffer this type of pain. Ethan was everything to me.”

KCC said the findings of the investigation into what caused the crash may lead to highway engineering works to help stop similar incidents.

“One death on our roads is too many and we will work with Kent Police and other partners to ensure any issues raised are resolved,” a council spokesperson said.

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