A couple have described the terrifying moments as they tried to save a man from a burning houseboat.

Jessica Owen, of Somerset Close, Chatham, and her boyfriend Ben Gravenell were on their way home from a friend's house in the early hours of Saturday when they saw the fire on the River Medway.

Jessica, 19, and Ben 22, desperately tried to help the two people on board. They pulled a woman to safety but were unable to save a man who was later named as 49-year-old Stephen Harrison.

Attempts were made to resuscitate Mr Harrison but he was declared dead at the scene in Maidstone.

Jessica said: "We were driving home when we saw smoke in the distance and when we got closer we realised there were flames too.

"I had my window open and I could hear a woman screaming. I shouted at Ben to stop the car and jumped out and ran down the river bank.

"There were other people already there but they were doing nothing to help. I could see the woman on the boat trying to pull the man out. I screamed at Ben to help them."

Ben jumped on the boat but as he went to grab the man he fell backwards into the fire.

Jessica said: "I can't remember how we got the woman off, I just remember holding her. She was trying to get back onto the boat. I had to hold her back."

Jessica says she feels angry others did not try to do more to help. She added: "There were quite a few people there, just watching. They just stood there and waited for the fire brigade.

"It's sad to think the man might have been saved if they had tried to help sooner. Ben and I were the only ones who did anything.

"It's disgusting people just stood there, watching this woman struggle. I keep thinking about what I wish I had done. But I'm glad we were there to help the woman, even if we couldn't save the man."