A bereaved father has spoken of the moment his world was ripped apart when his teenage son died in a car crash.

Nineteen-year-old Will Funnell was killed instantly after the vehicle he was travelling in spun out of control and into the path of an oncoming vehicle on Linton Hill, Maidstone, in August 2013.

The 21-year-old driver, who also died in the collision, had been nearly three times over the legal drink drive limit and also had traces of drugs in his system.

Mr Funnell's father, Pete, from Coxheath, spoke about the incident as he pledged his support for Kent Fire and Rescue Service's planned Road Safety Experience — an interactive education centre which will be opened in April in Marconi Way, Rochester.

He said he couldn't let Will's name and memory fade away.

He added: "Our world was ripped apart the moment our blue-eyed boy was taken from us and a huge void now exists for my wife and I, as well as our family and friends.

"Will was a beautiful person, of whom we were immensely proud. He had everything to live for, but on that terrible night his life was cut so suddenly short. We may never know exactly how our son came to be travelling in that car or what made him choose to accept a lift in a car that was driven at speed by a drink driver, but we have to live with the fact that this huge mistake cost him his life.

"I would encourage every parent, school and college in Kent and Medway to make visiting Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Road Safety Experience an essential activity for the young people in their care.

"Our world was ripped apart the moment our blue-eyed boy was taken from us and a huge void now exists for my wife and I, as well as our family and friends." — Pete Funnell

"It has been designed to hit home the potentially devastating impact that a split second decision can have on their lives, as well as the lives of others around them. I hope it will encourage other young people, just like our Will, to think more carefully about the choices they make and help them realise there’s always another option, they don’t have to get in that car or drive that car."

The ultimate aim of the Road Safety Experience is to create a visitor centre specifically focused on activities that will contribute, alongside key multi-agency campaigns, to a reduction in the disproportionately high number of young people killed and seriously injured on the roads in Kent and Medway.

KFRS road safety and safeguarding manager Alexa Kersting-Woods said: "The Road Safety Experience will be free to all schools, colleges and organised groups in Kent and Medway and is specifically designed to appeal to young people aged 14 to 24, offering a unique learning opportunity to help them stay safer on our county’s roads.

"It will provide an all-round experience with interactive learning zones providing thought-provoking insights around risks and responsibilities to help young people to develop the essential skills they need to make informed decisions as a driver or passenger."

For further information about the centre visit www.roadsafetyexperience.co.uk.

The centre is currently under construction in Marconi Way, (near Rochester Airport), and will be located next to the new fire station also being built on this site. It is due to open in April 2016.

Pete Funnell pledges support for the initiative

The Will Funnell Trust, a family bereavement charity, was set up by Will's relatives following his tragic death.

The organisation is holding a special launch-night and fundraising gala evening on Saturday, June 27, at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne.

For further information contact thewillfunnelltrust@gmail.com or call 07969 527 623.