POLICE and fire crews were called to a house in Coxheath, near Maidstone, after a car smashed into the front porch, killing the 19-year-old driver (Helen Greener writes).

The crash happened yesterday afternoon when the dark blue Peugeot 206 drove into a house at the T-junction of Heath Road and Ewell Lane.

The male driver, from Maidstone, was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been named.

The owners of the house, which suffered extensive damage, were out at the time of the crash. But a dog, which was chained up in the front garden of the house, was injured when the car ran straight over the top of it.

A dog handler and two veterinary nurses were called to help calm the dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible. It is receiving treatment at Mote Park Veterinary Surgery.

Tactical road Investigations officer for Maidstone and Malling Police PC Tony Howland said: “There was only one person in the car, and nobody else was hurt. We are looking for more witnesses to come forward."

The incident happened at about 2.30pm. The car was removed from the front of the house about four hours later.