By Gareth Davies

gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk

A heartbroken family have told how a young couple killed in a horrific crash on Saturday were inseparable.

Amiee Newton, 16, and 20-year-old boyfriend Luke Maskell had only been going out since January.

But Luke's parents say he fell for her the first time he saw her and had been smitten ever since.

The couple, from New Addington, died when Luke's Renault Megane collided head-on with a van.

Speaking from their home in Wolsey Crescent, Luke's mum and dad, June and David, described their son as a "selfless and dedicated young man."

"He would do anything for his friends and family and had a lasting effect on everyone he met," Mr Maskell said.

The couple described how the popular Southern Gas engineer had started going out with former Addington High pupil Amiee, from Homestead Way, at the beginning of the year.

"He told me how he had fallen for Amiee the first moment he saw her," Mrs Maskell said.

"They got along so well and were inseparable ever since.

"She was a lovely young lady and we all got along very well. You could just tell how much he cared for her by seeing how they acted around each other."

Luke and Amiee had spent last Friday night visiting Mr and Mrs Maskell at their holiday home in Margate.

"It was the first time in a while that he had been able to come up to the caravan, because he works so hard with his job," Mr Maskell explained.

"He really wanted us to spend some time with Amiee."

Mrs Maskell added that it had been a lovely evening.

"We just sat and had a great time together, we couldn't stop laughing," she said.

"That's the sort of boy Lukey was."

As a much loved "joker", Luke's loving parents described him as the blue-eyed boy who could always make them smile.

Mrs Maskell explained: "When we had family gatherings he would have everyone laughing. He had a cheeky smile and a great sense of humour.

"He cared about making other people happy. Just little things like if he bought food he wanted to share it or if there was a job at work he was always eager to start."

It was during his two-and-a-half years working for Southern Gas that Luke got to do what he loved best – using his hands and dedicating himself to a job well done.

Mr Maskell said proudly: "He was a sensible and hard working boy. The sort of lad who got things right the first time. He was a true grafter."

But Luke wasn't all about work, and was passionate about jet skiing and motocross.

"He knew how to live life and make the most of things," Mr Maskell added.

"Just having spoken to his friends has made me realise how much of an impact he has had on so many people."

Mrs Maskell added: "One of his childhood friends said they were blessed to have known him, and that's how I feel too."

His sister Hayleigh also paid a glowing tribute.

She said: "He was the sort of person who, if you spent just 10 minutes with him, you'd leave with him having made a real impression on you and he was also a loving brother."

It was while travelling back from Margate that the couple's car collided with a Citroen van in Shire Lane, Farnborough, at around 9.20am.

Ambulance and fire crews rushed to the scene but both Amiee and Luke were pronounced dead at the scene.

The 61-year-old driver of the van was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, in Farnborough, with minor injuries.

Mrs Maskell had been ringing Amiee to make sure the pair made their way back home safely, and knew something was wrong when she suddenly stopped answering.

"Amiee wasn't picking up the phone any more and somehow I just knew," she said.

"It was such a tragic accident, a waste of life. It's a great loss to all the people that they touched. We will miss Luke so much."