Ryan Anderson is fighting for his life after a car crash

by Gerry Warren

The family of a teenager critically injured in a crash on the Old Thanet Way believe loose chippings on the newly-surfaced road might have caused him to lose control of his car.

Ryan Anderson, 19, from Whitstable, is fighting for his life with head injuries with his distraught family at his hospital bedside.

The football-loving trainee chef was on his way to Herne Bay after finishing work at the Chestfield Barn on Saturday night when his Vauxhall Corsa left the road between the Chestfield and Greenhill roundabouts and hit a tree.

Speaking from the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, his grandfather Peter Anderson said: “We are devastated because it doesn’t look good for Ryan, who is in a very bad way.

“We believe the road surface played a significant factor and lots of people have been contacting us to say they were sliding about while driving on it.”

Many drivers complained about the road, including a Whitstable taxi driver who tweeted that it had been like “driving through a desert”.

But John Burr, director of highways and transportation for Kent County Council, said the road passed a skid resistance test in the aftermath of the crash.

He said:"We are sorry to hear of the crash on the Old Thanet Way and our thoughts are with the driver and his family.

"We cannot comment on the police investigation until it has been completed.

"However, the correct 20mph maximum speed-limit signs were displayed to warn drivers for the entire time work was carried out on this road.

"We understand the road passed a skid-resistance test conducted by police immediately after the crash.

"Our crews swept the road within 24 hours after the new surface was laid, which is standard practice after we surface-dress any road in the county."

"we believe the road surface played a significant factor and lots of people have been contacting us to say they were sliding about while driving on it…” – peter anderson

Ryan lives with mother Andria, stepfather Stuart and brothers Craig, 18, Harrison, seven, and sister Charlotte, 15, in Northwood Road, Whitstable.

He went to Joy Lane Primary School, before attending the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham.

His mother has been at his bedside since he was admitted to hospital at about midnight.

His aunt, foster carer Jay Barden, 37, who also lives in Whitstable, said: “Ryan is a very popular lad. All his friends are devastated too.

“I know some people will think that because he is a young driver he was doing something daft, but he was always very sensible behind the wheel.”

She added: “Ryan loves football and is a big Gillingham and Arsenal fan. He’s a real practical joker and just loves being with his mates.”

Heidi Brearly, of the Chestfield Barn, said: “Ryan is a trainee chef here and we are all very upset about what has happened.”

Crash investigators are appealing for witnesses to phone 01622 798538. They are also keen to speak to anyone who might have seen the red Corsa at the McDonald’s restaurant on the Old Thanet Way just before the crash, which happened at 11pm.