The daughter of an air ambulance crew member who was killed in a helicopter accident said her dad will always be her hero.

Paramedic Mark Darby died alongside his colleagues Graham Budden and Tony Richardson on July 26, 1998, after the aircraft exploded over Blue Bell Hill.

The men were on their way back to Rochester Airport from an aborted call to a road accident on the A2 at Cuxton when the helicopter lost height and hit power cables.

Witnesses reported seeing it plummet and explode into a ball of flames as it crashed into the ground.

Seconds before, motorists on the M2 watched in horror as the aircraft took a sharp turn, then dropped from view into Nashenden Valley.

Mark’s daughter, Rachel Darby, was just five years old when the accident happened but said her father has remained a huge inspiration for her and she takes comfort knowing he died doing what he loved most.

To mark the anniversary of his death last month, she presented the Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) with a cheque for £1,238 which she had raised with her colleagues.

Rachel has worked as an HGV driver for a leading wholesale food supplier, Brakes, in Aylesford, for two years.

The 31-year-old said: “Often at this time of year I can feel very reflective and sometimes quite sad.

“But this year felt very different having this positive focus, and it was just amazing to see the response from my wonderful colleagues at Brakes – we are a very close team, like one big family.

“I am so proud of everyone at Brakes for helping to raise money towards the vital funds KSS needs to keep flying and saving lives.

“But most of all I am so proud of my dad. He will always be my hero.”

Shift manager at the firm, Steve Coleman, added: “I have worked at Brakes for 15 years and this has been by far one of the biggest fundraising activities Brakes at Aylesford has ever enjoyed.

“I think that is a true reflection of how valued Rachel is here and how much people want to honour her father’s legacy by supporting the lifesaving work of KSS.”

Rachel presented the charity with the cheque at its headquarters in Rochester following a visit to the memorial site for the three men on Blue Bell Hill.

KSS chief executive David Welch said: “It was our absolute honour to mark the anniversary of the accident with Rachel and other members of her family at Blue Bell Hill.

“The funds raised will help us to continue the legacy of Rachel’s father Mark by saving lives every day.

“Mark, and our two other crew members who sadly died in the accident, Graham Budden and Tony Richardson, will always remain part of KSS and their families and loved ones remain in our thoughts.”