Mum of teenager killed in Dumpton Park Drive crash launches …
Ethan with mum Keena
The mum of a teenager who died in a crash on Dumpton Park Drive in October has launched a petition asking Kent County Council to install speed calming measures. Ethan Entwistle was just two days away from his 19th birthday when the car he was a passenger in with a friend and two associates was crashed into a tree on Dumpton Park Drive. Sadly, despite the efforts of his friend Ben Brazil, who was also a passenger in the car, to carry out CPR until medics arrived, Ethan did not survive.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed pending further enquiries. Mum Keena has launched the petition in the hope that safety measures can prevent the loss of someone else’s loved one. 
The petition comes after Keena attended a meeting of the Dumpton Safer Roads Action Group last night (November 21) to talk about the impact the loss of her eldest son has ad on herself and her family. On the petition page the teaching assistant, who is also mum to 15-year-old Thomas, says: “Dumpton Park Drive in Broadstairs and Ramsgate, has become notorious for speed-related accidents. The lack of adequate speed calming measures has turned this residential area into an accident hotspot, with two fatalities in under two years.
“This is not just about Ethan anymore; it’s about every child, every family who could be next, I do not want anyone else to ever experience this heartbreak that has now befallen my family. If Ethan’s death can help prevent anyone else having to suffer, then we as a family will know he has left a lasting legacy.” Sharing statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on the page,Keena says inappropriate speed contributes to around 11% of all injury collisions reported to the police, 15% of crashes resulting in serious injury and 24% of incidents that result in death.
She added: “These figures are alarming and underline the urgent need for action. “We call upon Kent County Council to implement effective speed calming measures on Dumpton Park Drive as soon as possible. Let’s make our streets safe again – for Ethan and all those whose lives have been or could be affected by such tragedies.”
Ethan was a Broadstairs College student who studied accountancy last year and had just started a mechanics course this year. Keena said her son was “a larger than life character” who loved Anime, computers and gaming and being with his friends. Since 2022, residents in Ramsgate’s Dumpton Park Drive have been calling for further safety measures for pedestrians trying to cross the wide road and motorists who have limited sightlines at some of the junctions.
Members of Dumpton Park Drive Safer Roads Action Group at the road junction with Montefiore Avenue
A campaign was initially started following the death of a woman cyclist in a collision at the junction with Montefiore Avenue.
Kent Highways has since installed yellow lines on junction corners, including at Montefiore, but residents say the road is still not safe with many motorists exceeding speed limits and instances of inconsiderate parking making pedestrians crossing, or cars pulling out at junctions, difficult. Those involved in the Make Our Road Safe! Dumpton Park Drive Safer Roads Action Group say there have been at least seven collisions during 2021/22 as well as several near misses.
Suggestions for measures have included extending the yellow lines, installing traffic islands, introducing a 20mph zone or even creating a mini-roundabout. A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson previously said: “We are aware of concerns raised about the safety of Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate. “Our team has visited the site and spoken to local representatives to discuss any changes that could be made.
“Following agreement with Ramsgate Town Council, waiting restrictions have been installed and we continue to work with the town council to explore further options through its Highway Improvement Plan.”