SPECIAL prayers have been said by classmates of eight-year-old Emily Powell, from Margate, who is in hospital following a head-on car crash that claimed the lives of her mother, brother and stepfather.

Emily's brother, Jack, six, a pupil at St Gregory’s Roman Catholic School at Margate, died from multiple injuries on Monday in the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. Emily is also a pupil at St Gregory’s.

The children's mother, Rachel Turk, 31, and stepfather Richard Turk, aged 30, died at the scene of Sunday's crash near Henley-on-Thames.

The children's head teacher Danny Short said: “The whole school is devastated by the news. Emily and Jack both lived in Margate with their father, Robin Powell, and were being brought home after one of their regular weekend visits with their mum and her husband.

“We held a special assembly for our pupils on Tuesday morning. I explained to them what had happened and the parish priest led us in prayer.

"I have spoken with the children’s father and sent the whole family our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are with them all. Only last Friday both children received special merit awards for their excellent behaviour and work in class.

"Jack will be sadly missed and we hope and pray that Emily makes a full and speedy recovery and returns to us very soon."

Emily's condition is described as "stable but improving". She is unaware that the other members of her family have died.

Emily’s father, a special needs teacher at the Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate, is keeping a vigil at her bedside.