More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An inquest has opened into the death of a man killed in a crash in Hawkhurst.
Stewart Hook was travelling in a silver Hyundai Coupe on Cranbrook Road, by Gill's Green on December 4, when the car collided with a grey Range Rover Evoque heading in the opposite direction.
The 34-year-old, who worked as a compound technician, was conscious when initially treated by ambulance crews but died before he could be taken to hospital.
Two women in the Range Rover were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A post-mortem found Mr Hook, of Avards Close, died of a severe haemorrhage, with a traumatic liver rupture given as a contributing factor.
It emerged last week that the road could undergo a safety audit after pressure from a councillor and growing concerns from neighbours.
A map produced by Kent County Council Highways, which tracks the number of incidents on roads across the county, shows at least one other fatal, four serious and 14 slight accidents have happened on Cranbrook Road between 2014 and 2018.
Mum-of-one Lizzie Burt said: “It is a major problem here and the road is terrible, I don’t even let my daughter get into the car on the road side because of it.
“People have asked for speed cameras but there isn’t any money, but I’m sure there is if it means it will save a life.”
Since hearing about the concerns of residents, Kent County Councillor for Cranbrook, Seán Holden, has asked the highways team to carry out a safety audit of the road.
“I don’t think the instant reaction to have a speed camera will solve these problems, there have been an increasing number of accidents there and we need something to help people to not make the mistakes," he said.
Clare Escombe, chairwoman of Hawkhurst Parish Council, added: “As a parish we are very concerned about the number of incidents on the roads in the area and have been, and will continue, to lobby KCC Highways to improve road safety such as signage, cameras etc in the Hawkhurst area.”
A date for the full inquest into Mr Hook's death has not yet been set.
Witnesses to the Gill's Green crash should contact 01622 798538 or sciu.dt@kent.pnn.police.uk using MM/RF/125/19.
