FIVE times in three years death has struck the same family. In the latest tragedy 18-year-old

Adrian Cook died in hospital two days after a car crash in Milton Manor Road, Thanington, Canterbury.

He had lived with his grandmother, Peggy Price, in Highland Road, Chartham. Early in 1999 her grandson Stewart Cook, 20, comitted suicide after the loss of a close friend in a road accident. In June the same year another grandson, Adrian's cousin Jonathan, 19, died in an accident at home. Three months later Adrian's mother, Gillian, died from cancer while only in her forties. In June last year Mrs Price lost her son, Peter, 47, Stewart's father, from a stroke.

"I just can't believe this has happened," said Mrs Price, 69. "Adrian came to live with me after his mother died. He was starting to get his life back on track after losing her and his brother and now he has gone."

Friends and colleagues have being paying tribute to Mr Cook, who had worked as a trainee chef at the Chapter Arms in Chartham Hatch. He played for the Canterbury-based Choughs Cricket Club for four seasons until the deaths of his brother and mother.

In the accident with a pickup truck Mr Cook was a passenger in a friend's car. Police said he had not been wearing a seatbelt. The driver escaped with minor facial injuries.

Anyone who saw the accident, shortly after 1pm on Wednesday last week at the junction with the A28, is asked to contact PC David Stevenson on 01227 762055.