THE body of a road accident victim continues to be stored in the mortuary of a Kent hospital nearly seven years after he died, it has been revealed.

Michael Kyung Woon Lee, 17, was killed after being hit by a school bus in Canterbury in October, 2000.

His Korean father, Yung How Lee, failed to accept that his death had been nothing more than an accident, despite the findings of a coroner's court.

A second post mortem and police investigation reached the same conclusion, but Mr Lee has refused to make funeral arrangements.

The East Kent Hospitals Trust says Mr Lee has had the relevant certificate for the disposal of his son's body for some years.

Spokesman Jim Murray said: "We have written to the city council requesting it use its powers to make arrangements for a funeral and a burial or cremation."

The city council has been in discussions with lawyers for Mr Lee, who failed to return our calls.

Spokesman Rob Davies said: "This is a very sad case. The council remains anxious to arrange for Michael’s body to be laid to rest."

* More details in the Kentish Gazette (Thursday, June 7).