by Chris Hunter and Anna White
chunter@thekmgroup.co.uk

Stunned villagers are this week coming to terms with the loss of a well-loved man who died while on holiday in Thailand.

Daniel Medhurst, who grew up in Coxheath and worked as a mechanic at the family-run Murco Garage in Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea, died after a night out with friends on Bang Tao Beach in Phuket.

He had been in the country to celebrate the wedding of friends Tom Paddison and Claire Cloude, both from Maidstone, which had been due to take place yesterday.

The Foreign Office confirmed Mr Medhurst - who is believed to have been in his mid 30s - died on Tuesday and that they were providing assistance to his family.

They could not confirm the circumstances of his death.

Initial reports suggest he might have drowned after going for a swim and getting into trouble, but villagers in Coxheath and Boughton Monchelsea have heard differing stories.

One said Mr Medhurst collapsed while walking on the beach. Another said he had been got caught in a riptide and friends had attempted to rescue him.

Bernard Figg, of Green Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, said Mr Medhurst was "a much loved local character".

"It's extremely sad," he said. "He was a very nice bloke and everybody liked him.

"He was friendly and always waved when he saw me.

"It's a local garage, and they were very much a family firm - his father introduced both of the sons into the business."

Mr Figg said Mr Medhurst had specialised in MOT tests and was good at his job.

Garage staff and villagers said Mr Medhurst's mother Christine has flown out to Thailand, while his father Derek has stayed in the country to be with other family members.

Other villagers described Mr Medhurst - who went to Coxheath Primary School and Cornwallis School, now known as Cornwallis Academy - as a "brilliant" character whose death was a great loss.

"He was an absolutely lovely fellow," said a former school friend.

"He was a nice lad and honest as the day is long. I'm totally shocked."

One worker at the Murco Garage added: "It's like losing a brother. Devastating."

The garage where Mr Medhurst worked is the same that was targeted by arsonists in December last year.

Did you know Mr Medhurst? Pay tribute to him in the comment box below.