Boy killed in major smash pictured for fist time as dad fights for life

POLICE HAVE CHARGED TWO PEOPLE WITH MURDER OVER THE CRASH IN DARTFORD, AND ARE HOLDING THEM IN CUSTODY AS THEY 'ESTABLISH THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE COLLISION' 11:32, 04 Jun

2025Updated 14:01, 04 Jun 2025 A boy killed in a major car smash that left his baby sister injured and dad fighting for his life in hospital has been pictured for the first time, as two men

are charged with murder over the incident. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene in Dartford at around 9.30pm on Sunday following reports of a collision between two grey Ford

Rangers, after which three victims in one of the vehicles were rushed to hospital. But medics later confirmed they were unable to save four-year-old Peter Maughan, affectionately known as

Peter Rabbit. The youngster has been pictured for the first time as heartbreaking tributes pour in, and his 24-year-old dad fights for his life in hospital. Grieving friends and family

members remembered the "golden" boy, with one shocked friend writing on social media: "Rest in peace Peter Rabbit please everyone keep them in your prayers it’s a cruel

world." Another said the news was "the saddest thing I've heard", while a third chimed in and called on people to keep the boy's mother and father in their thoughts

and prayers. They said: "Keep her and her husband in prayer and her beautiful little baby boy may you watch over her and him I can’t imagine what she’s going through." Kent Police

have issued a public plea for information following the crash, with members of the public urged to share any CCTV or dashcam footage. Article continues below Two men, Patrick Maughan, 53 and

Owen Maughan, 27, both from Darenth, Kent appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court over the child’s death on Thursday. They are also both charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and

attempted wounding with intent relating to the two people injured. The two men appeared separately in the dock wearing grey prison jumpers and spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth

and address. The charges relate to a collision involving two pickup trucks on New Barn Road in Dartford, Kent, just before 9.30pm on Sunday. The two suspects were remanded in custody and

will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court, either on Thursday or Friday. A provisional plea and trial preparation hearing date of July 2 was also set. Meanwhile, Kent Police are continuing

to appeal for information about the crash. A force spokesperson said in a previous statement that two men arrested following the incident were being held in custody as the services continues

to "establish the circumstances surrounding the collision". They said: "Detectives investigating a collision in which a child has died and two people were injured have made

two arrests. "Kent Police was called just before 9.30pm on Sunday 1 June 2025 to reports of a collision involving two vehicles on New Barn Road, Dartford. Article continues below

"Three people from the same vehicle were taken to hospital. A four year old boy died at the hospital and a 24 year old man remains in hospital in a critical condition. A one year old

girl received minor injuries. On Monday 2 June 2025, officers arrested two men in connection with the incident, a 27 year old from Darenth and a 53 year old from Swanley. "They remain

in custody while enquiries continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision."