PARENTS and schoolfriends of six-year-old car crash victim Jack Powell paid their own silent tribute as his coffin was driven from St John’s Church, Margate, past his school gates, to Thanet crematorium.

Dozens lined the short route from St Gregory’s Roman Catholic primary school to the crematorium and released helium-filled balloons, provided by a Powell family friend, into the grey Autumn sky as a final farewell.

Earlier on Monday afternoon, relatives, family and friends had gathered at the parish church for the funeral service conducted by the Rev Brian Sharpe. The hearse bore floral tributes include the word ‘Jack’ spelt in yellow chrysanthemums, with a brown teddy bear holding a simple yellow posy nestling close by.

Jack’s teacher Claire Reid was among those who spoke at the service, attended by all the school staff.

Headteacher Danny Short said: “It was very sad and extremely emotional. We closed school for half a day and the family were touched by those who lined the route outside the school.”

Jack’s mum and stepfather, Rachel and Richard Turk from Oxfordshire, were certified dead at the scene of the head-on collision at Huntercombe in southern Oxfordshire on September 28. Jack died the following day in hospital.

His sister Emily, aged eight, also from Margate, survived the crash and is recovering in an Oxfordshire hospital having undergone major surgery. It is hoped she will leave before Christmas. She is also a pupil at St Gregory’s and staff are looking forward to welcoming her back.

The children lived in Margate with their father, Rob, a special needs learning assistant at the Royal School for Deaf Children in the town. They were on their way home from one of their regular visits to their mother and stepfather when the crash happened.

Det Insp Rob Mason, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “This tragic incident has taken the lives of three people and has left eight-year-old Emily without a mum, brother and stepfather.

“I appeal to the occupants of the red Mini that was involved in the collision to come forward.

“The family of Rachel, Richard and Jack need to know what happened that day to help them come to terms with the fact that members of their family have been taken away from them forever.

“I believe that the occupants of this mini have a major part to play in our investigation. They would have seen exactly what happened on Gangsdown Hill that Sunday and I believe that ultimately they hold the key to the sequence of events that led to the death of three people.

“This is an extremely serious incident. We have visited a large number of mini owners in response to sightings and suggestions from the public.

“We are committed to finding the occupants of the Mini. If you know somebody who owns this type of car and whose behaviour or driving has caused you concern then please contact us.”

Sgt Phillip Standish and Family Liaison Officer Phil Hanham, of Thames Valley Police, also attended the funeral.