THREE DIE AND FOUR INJURED IN HORROR CRASH

A TEENAGE boy and two adults were killed and four people injured in a horrific car collision on Queensway on Monday night.

The collision occurred just before 10pm near the Crowhurst Road turn-off when a southbound Ford Granada was involved in a collision with a northbound Citroen ZX.

The impact threw the Citroen into the tree-lined grass verge on the northbound side, whilst the Granada veered onto the southbound verge where it burst into flames.

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Ken Thornett, 48, of Beckley Close - the driver of the Granada - was killed instantly, as was 13-year-old passenger and family friend Aaron Hogg.

The driver of the Citroen ZX - identified by police as Perry Alan Carter, 31, of Tonbridge, Kent, was also killed.

Also in the Granada was Mr Thornett's girlfriend Angie Woollcott, 32, and daughters Lauren Woollcott, 14, and Chelsee Thornett, 12.

Ms Woollcott is currently being treated at the Chelsea and Westminister Hospital in London, where her condition is described as serious but stabilising.

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Lauren and Chelsee are in a stable condition at the Conquest Hospital.

The passenger in the Citroen - who has not yet been named by police - is also at the Conquest, where his condition is described as comfortable.

Mr Thornett was driving his passengers to their home nearby after picking them up from Army Cadets in Bexhill Road when the collision occurred.

A passing ambulance transporting a patient from Eastbourne to the Conquest Hospital came across the scene, and crews joined nearby residents in helping to free passengers from the burning wreckage.

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Witness Maria Palmer - who joined other residents from Whatlington Way at the site of the tragedy - said: "My son came running in and said there had been an accident and we should come immediately. It was chaos when we got there.

"Chelsee had climbed out of the back seat of the car when it happened. I stayed with her and went with her to hospital. She was cold and frightened as she had never been in an ambulance before.

"All the boys came from the estate to see how they could help and they offered some of their clothes to her to keep her warm. They took their hoodies off, and put their t-shirts under her head so she had something to rest on."

Queensway was closed off between the Napier Road and Crowhurst Road turn-offs for over six hours while emergency teams - including more than 20 police officers, ambulance crews and four fire appliances - fought to free and treat casualties and secure the scene.

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A forensic collision investigation team examined the crash scene the same day and inquiries are continuing. Inquests into all three deaths were opened and adjourned this week.

The crash brings the death toll on Hastings' fastest road up to eight in just five years.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Sgt Paul Masterson at Bexhill Road Policing Department on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Cannock.

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