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Balloon release in memory of Owen Kinghorn at The Ridge in Ashford

Hundreds of teens have released balloons in memory of a 15-year-old found dead on Saturday.

Owen Kinghorn was found dead in a field in Great Chart over the weekend, with tributes being paid by friends and family since.

Owen Kinghorn was found dead on Sunday
Owen Kinghorn was found dead on Sunday

Chief among them was a balloon release event this afternoon, organised by a number of his friends including Demi Sansom and Jamie Hooker and attended by hundreds of teens.

Ms Sansom, 15, said: "He was my best friend, he was like my brother.

"I broke down when I heard. He'll be 100% missed by everyone, everyone's broken.

"It's taken two days to organise and there are about 250 to 300 balloons.

"He was such a big part of most people's lives. At school I keep thinking I'm going to see him walk through the door.

Minutes of silence were followed by the balloon release in memory of Owen Kinghorn

"He was so funny and made everyone happy.

"He was the class clown who everybody loved."

About 300 people turned up, with muted chatter leading up to 4.30pm - when the balloons were set to be released.

Silence descended on the grieving crowd as the teens prepared to release them.

After four minutes of quiet reflection and a thank you to the crowd from his closest friends and family, the balloons were let go and filled the air.

Students straight out of school wrote messages on the balloons before letting them go (16391118)
Students straight out of school wrote messages on the balloons before letting them go (16391118)

As the balloons disappeared into the distance, Young, Wild and Free by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa was played to the crowd.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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