EXCLUSIVE

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A doting dad was tragically killed in a car crash just two weeks before his daughter's first birthday.

Popular Kevin Howes - who ran Ridgeway Forge Farriers in Herne - died after overturning his van at 7.45pm on Friday night.

His daughter Amelia is one next week.

Kevin's death has stunned his family and friends, who have described him as the proudest dad in the world."

His wife Kelly said: "Everything he did he did for his family. He worked so, so hard and wanted the absolute best for Amelia.

"He absolutely adored her and she was a proper daddy's girl. He even had her walking when she was just nine months old.

"She's the spitting image of him as well. I'll never let her forget how much he loved her."

Kevin was a highly-regarded farrier and had worked on some of the top racehorses in the country. He had run his own business for almost eight years.

He was returning home from work on Friday when he overturned his VW Transporter on Faversham Road, Charing. He died at the scene with his beloved dog Toad by his side.

Kelly, 26, said: "He had done so well for himself, despite whatever life had thrown at him.

"He was the kindest, most generous person you could ever meet. He was so funny and people just liked him instantly."

Kevin, who lived in Diamond Road, Whitstable, had fought against the odds to beat skin cancer at the age of 22.

He underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumour and completed his farrier apprenticeship while having treatment.

His dad Kevin said: "He didn't let anything get in his way. When something came up he'd just say we'll get through this and move on.

"He had severe dyslexia but still managed to start up his own business and become one of the best farriers in the country. That was testament to the man he was. I'm going to really miss him."

His older sister Sabrina Huntley added: "Even when people had met him once they'd say what a nice man he was. He was so good at his job and was one of the most well-respected men I have ever met.

"There was just something about him that you couldn't not like."

"It didn't matter if you'd met him once or a thousand times, he'd always leave an impression on you."