A young man was almost three times the drink-drive limit and had traces of cocaine in his blood when he lost control of his car - killing himself and his teenage passenger.

John Junior Forrest, 21, and his 19-year-old passenger Will Funnell both died at the scene of the horrific accident on the A229 Linton Hill near Maidstone.

An inquest into their deaths heard Mr Forrest's Volkswagen Bora spun on to the opposite side of the road into the path of an oncoming 4x4 as he approached a bend at speeds of about 86mph.

Now, for the first time since their son's death, Peter and Kate Funnell have spoken of their devastation over losing their only child.

Heartbroken landscaper Mr Funnell said: "Will was the brightest light that touched the lives of so many people."

His son, of Tenterden Road, Golford, near Cranbrook, died in the smash at just before 4am on Saturday, August 17.

Expert witnesses told the hearing Mr Forrest, of Howland Road, Marden, lost control of his car as he approached a bend between Butt Green and Stilebridge Lanes.

The car span onto the opposite side of the carriageway into the path of a Nissan X-Trail travelling towards Maidstone.

The last speed recorded on the Bora's black box was 71mph, seconds before the impact.

Earlier recordings showed he had reached 93mph on the same journey, the inquest heard.

"Will was the brightest light that touched the lives of so many people..." - Will Funnell's father Peter

PC Terry Collins told the hearing: "The vehicle was already out of control before it hit the X-Trail.

"The excessive speed did not cause the accident, it simply made it worse."

Mid Kent coroner Patricia Harding agreed house renovator Mr Forrest was intoxicated, but said he would not have felt the effects of the class A drug while driving.

Mr Funnell was wearing a seatbelt, but Mr Forrest was not.

Mrs Harding concluded both died because of a road traffic collision.

Mr Funnell's father said the lives of he and his wife Kate have been "ripped apart" at losing their only child.

Peter Funnell said: "Will was my life. We were best friends and did everything together. My life is empty without him.

"He was the loveliest person you will ever meet. He wasn't overly loud, but you would know he was there as soon as he walked in a room with his big blue eyes. Everyone loved him."

The 19-year-old, who attended Angley School in Cranbrook, worked for the family landscaping business.

Shortly before his death, the teen had bought a house in Pembroke Road, Coxheath, which he planned to renovate.

His parents have now moved into the house, which is just a stone's throw away from Will's beloved grandparents' home.

Mr Funnell, 48, added: "He was a credit to me and his mum. He was the brightest light that touched the lives of so many people in different ways."

The couple, who issued a statement to thank people for their support, finished with: "As Will would say, where there's a Will, there’s a way."

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