A heartbroken mum has paid tribute to her “one-of-a-kind” son after he was tragically killed in a car crash.

Ethan Entwistle, 18, died when the Seat Ibiza he was a passenger in collided with a tree near Broadstairs on Sunday.

Emergency services were called at about 3.20am, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, also aged 18, was taken to hospital for treatment and was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Speaking to KentOnline, Ethan’s mum, Keena, said his death has left family and friends devastated.

“Ethan was definitely one of a kind - they broke the mould when they made him,” she said.

“He had an amazing sense of humour and always had everyone laughing. All of his friends right from infant school to college have been sending messages saying how much he always made them smile.

“He was a gentle giant at 6ft 2ins and was scared of most things himself really, but he went out of his way to protect people.

“One of his friends from infancy said she remembered him protecting her from mean people.”

Ethan, who would have celebrated his 19th birthday two days after the crash, had been three weeks into a mechanic’s course at Broadstairs College.

He had spent the summer with friends and his younger brother Thomas, 15, and Keena said he was “really enjoying life”.

“In the space of three weeks he went to see Dizzee Rascal at Dreamland, then went to Reading festival and up to Glasgow,” she said.

“He got a lot in this summer. As his mum I am really happy about that.”

Tributes have been left at the scene of the crash, including flowers and a birthday card for Ethan.

On what should have been his 19th birthday on Tuesday, more than 70 friends and family members gathered to remember him.

One of his friends, Ben Brazil, was also a passenger in the car at the time of the crash and is understood to have dragged him out of the vehicle and attempted to perform CPR until paramedics arrived – despite suffering a broken wrist himself.

“Ethan had a fantastic group of friends around him, and the outpouring of love has been a real comfort,” Keena added.

“We would always go out for the boys’ birthdays, and when we were planning to go out on the day to remember him a few friends asked if they could come as well – then more and more said they wanted to come.

“By the time we had counted all of them, there were far too many for a restaurant – it was mind-boggling!”

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are continuing inquiries and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash.

They are also appealing for anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage taken in the area around the time to come forward. Footage can be submitted via the public portal.

Witnesses should call the SCIU appeal line on 01622 798538, quoting reference 01-0212. They can also email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk