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Road safety petition after popular Xpress Games store manager Danyl Ponsford dies in Ashford town centre crash

Games shop manager Danyl Ponsford was killed in a crash in Ashford town centre
Games shop manager Danyl Ponsford was killed in a crash in Ashford town centre

A woman who helped in the aftermath of a fatal crash in Ashford is calling for increased safety measures for a town centre road to prevent any more tragedies.

Healthcare worker Jessie Horvath has launched an e-petition asking for speed cameras in Somerset Road following a two-vehicle smash that killed 26-year-old Danyl Ponsford last Monday.

Bunches of flowers and football scarves for Arsenal fan Danyl - a manager at the Xpress Games in North Street, Ashford - have been left on the corner with Wellesley Road.

Miss Horvash, 23, said: "I set up a petition two days afterwards and it has had an amazing result - at last count it was at 1,000 signatures."

She has lived in Somerset Road for the past three years and says speeding drivers have been a problem.

She said: "I had been thinking about starting something for a while.

"Every night we have people speeding down the road; even the night after the crash people were still racing down there.

"We've heard people crash before - a few months ago someone crashed into the island in the road and just drove off and one of my neighbours was almost hit on the road because someone skipped a red light."

Floral tributes to Danyl Ponsford laid in Ashford
Floral tributes to Danyl Ponsford laid in Ashford
Floral tributes and scarves at the spot where Arsenal fan Danyl Ponsford died in Ashford
Floral tributes and scarves at the spot where Arsenal fan Danyl Ponsford died in Ashford
Scene of the fatal crash in Somerset Road, Ashford
Scene of the fatal crash in Somerset Road, Ashford

She added: "A speed camera would be fantastic. I don't know much about road safety, but anything that can prevent this from happening again would be great.

"Something needs to change. I know that children cross that road because there is a nursery on Wellesley Road."

Miss Horvath was at home on the night of the smash and was just settling down for the night after a 12-hour shift at the William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford, when she heard a bang. She immediately ran outside.

Danyl Ponsford
Danyl Ponsford

She added: "When the accident happened I was in my nurse's uniform and a policeman grabbed me and asked me to check on the driver in the car.

"Seeing such a young life taken is devastating - there was nothing we could do.

"I knew Danyl to say hello to. I knew him from going into his shop with my partner to buy games. Everyone treasured him; he was such a kind gentleman. This should never of happened."

Miss Horvash is hoping a yellow box along Somerset Road would deter speeding drivers.

She added: "The police and the government have so much to do, sometimes it takes a local resident to raise awareness.

"I want to thank all the people who have supported this campaign. The response has been overwhelming."

To sign the online petition, click here.

Two men from Ashford, aged 23 and 27, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving have been released on police bail until January 9 pending further inquiries.

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