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Jerry Cash, who survived crash which killed Johnny, Smiler and Johnboy Cash and Jacko Cosgrove in Lenham Road, Headcorn is discharged from hospital

A teenager, hailed as a 'miracle boy,' as he fought to recover from a crash which killed four members of his family, has finally been allowed to go home from hospital.

Jerry Cash's long recovery from the horror crash in Lenham Road, in Headcorn, last October, comes as efforts are made by an MP to get safety improvements for the road and others nearby.

Many prayed for Jerry Cash's recovery and his mum described him as a 'miracle boy'
Many prayed for Jerry Cash's recovery and his mum described him as a 'miracle boy'

Police said they were undertaking "Operation Mandalay” - a campaign specifically to focus on driving around Headcorn, looking particularly at Lenham Road.

October's tragedy claimed the lives of four men from the same family: Johnny Cash, Smiler Cash, Johnboy Cash and Jacko Cosgrove, when their Toyota Hi Lux crashed into a tree.

The fifth occupant of the vehicle was 15-year-old Jerry.

He suffered a serious head injury, broken pelvis, punctured lung and damaged liver and spent three weeks in an induced coma in Kings College Hospital in London.

Fortunately he has since recovered well from his physical injuries and has been discharged from hospital. He is now living with his mother in Bicester in Oxfordshire.

The site of the fatal crash in Lenham Road last October
The site of the fatal crash in Lenham Road last October

Mrs Cash said: "He's walking and talking thank God, and eating well. But he is still undertaking physiotherapy and having trouble with his memory."

She said her son could remember nothing about the accident or even getting in the vehicle.

When he was first taken into hospital he was placed in an induced coma.

Speaking to KentOnline at the end of last year, Mrs Cash revealed doctors battling to save Jerry's life had almost given up hope and told her she should consider saying her goodbyes.

She added: "He was in a bad way, the doctors didn't think they could do anything for him, they told me to say goodbye to him. Six weeks later he's sitting up in bed, saying 'I love you'.

The victims of the car crash, from left: Johnboy Cash, 'Smiler' Cash, Jacko Cosgrove and Jonny Cash
The victims of the car crash, from left: Johnboy Cash, 'Smiler' Cash, Jacko Cosgrove and Jonny Cash

Helen Whately, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent is now pushing the police and highways authorities to help improve the safety record of country roads in the area. A meeting involving police, highways and councillors looked at wide-ranging issues including speeding, HGVs on narrow lanes, plus crime and anti-social behaviour in Headcorn.

Mrs Whately secured a commitment from Kent Highways to introduce a Speedwatch scheme in Headcorn as well as to conduct a general review of road signs and white lines in the area.

Mrs Whately expressed her deep shock and sympathy for the family at the time of the fatal accident.

Johnny Cash, 44, and his son Johnboy, 19, both of Martins Gardens, Lenham Road, died in the collision, as well as Miles 'Smiler' Cash, 25, of Campion Crescent, Cranbrook, and Jacko Cosgrove, 18, of of Woodland Vale, Shadoxhurst.

Johnny was Jerry's second cousin, while the younger men were his first cousins.

Hundreds gathered outside St Francis Church in Maidstone, where a mass service was held for the four victims of the crash
Hundreds gathered outside St Francis Church in Maidstone, where a mass service was held for the four victims of the crash

The group had been on their way to watch the heavyweight clash between Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury and Deontay Wilder when the tragedy happened.

Jacko had been a member of Tenterden Amateur Boxing Club and had recently learned his wife was expecting. Johnboy had become a dad just six weeks before.

Johnny, Johnboy and Jacko were laid to rest at the Holy Family Church in Park Wood, while Miles' funeral was held in Reading.

The separate ceremonies followed a mass held at St Francis Church, in Week Street, Maidstone, for all four victims in October.

More recently a car crashed into the front of a house in Wheeler Street in Headcorn earlier this month which resulted in serious damage to the property, though thankfully no serious injures.

A car went into the front of a house in Wheeler Street, Headcorn, earlier in January
A car went into the front of a house in Wheeler Street, Headcorn, earlier in January

Mrs Whately said: “I know people in Headcorn are worried about the safety of roads around the village.

"Cars driving dangerously fast and lorries using narrow lanes as rat-runs are turning these roads into a blackspot for accidents.

“This needs to stop.

"I’m working with the police and Kent Highways to come up with solutions.

"We need joined up action to make our roads safer – with better road signage and stronger enforcement."

The meeting was also told overall reports of crime in the village have declined, councillors at the meeting raised serious concerns about speeding and dangerous driving around the village.

Mp Helen Whately who has arranged meetings to get improvements to nearby roads
Mp Helen Whately who has arranged meetings to get improvements to nearby roads

Mrs Whately added: "More broadly, I’m determined to see rural crime taken seriously.

"Crimes that would never be tolerated in towns should not be acceptable in the countryside.

"There’s been some good news recently on action to tackle fly-tipping and illegal hare coursing, now we need to see action to make country roads safer.

"Local residents should not be driven off our roads.”

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