TV property guru Phil Spencer has lost both his parents in a tragic accident on their farm in Kent.
Richard, 89, and Anne, 82, died last Friday afternoon when their car came off a bridge on an access road and fell into a river on their estate, Garrington Farm, at Littlebourne, near Canterbury. It is reported that they were on their way to lunch at a local pub.
On Instagram, Phil Spencer wrote: ‘The car, going very slowly, toppled over a bridge on the farm drive, upside down into the river. There were no physical injuries and I very much doubt they would have even fought it – they would have held hands under the water and quietly slipped away’
‘Although desperately sad and shocked beyond belief – all the family are clear that if there ever can be such a thing as having a ‘good end’ – this was it.
‘It feels horrendous right now but after almost 60 years of marriage – to die together on the farm they so loved will, I know, be a comfort in the future.
‘Mum Dad [sic] are together which is precisely where they would have wanted to be’
Kirsty Allsopp, Phil Spencer’s co-star on Location, Location, Location, is quoted as saying that it was a ‘great source of solace’ to Phil Spencer that his parents had died together.
She told The Sun newspaper, “I have spoken to Phil and it’s tragic for the Spencer family, but his parents were together and that’s something that is a great source of solace to them all. This is awful for the all of the family, but they were together at the end and they were lovely people.”
Emergency services, including an air ambulance attended the scene, at which a woman in her 60s, who was also in the car, suffered minor injuries.
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers attended along with other emergency services and a man and a woman in their 80s were taken to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. A third person, a woman in her 60s, was in the vehicle and sustained minor injuries.”
“The next of kin has been informed and a report will now be prepared for the coroner.”
Phil Spencer, a very familiar and popular figure at property industry events, grew up on the Kent farm. He has three siblings, Robert, Caryn, and Helen, and there are eight grandchildren in the family.
We are sure that EYE readers will join us in sending our sincere condolences to Phil and his family.
Terribly terribly sad news and my heart breaks for Phil and his family.
Having lost my 93-year-old mum in a road traffic accident 5 years ago I fully appreciate Phil’s comments.
“‘Although desperately sad and shocked beyond belief – all the family are clear that if there ever can be such a thing as having a ‘good end’ – this was it. They would have held hands under the water and quietly slipped away.”
Two weeks before her death my mum said if she went to sleep soon and didn’t wake up, she would die happy. Mum’s death was brutal but quick. Like Phil though I cling to the only positive I can find, in my mind mum had a good end.
RIP Richard and Anne.
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Truly shocking news and clearly everyone’s going to be thinking of Phil and the family.
He’s one of the few people who is as nice as they seem when on screen and didn’t deserve this, as so many rarely do.
Thoughts with you Phil
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where did the other comment go?
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Where it belongs, in the bin.
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Very sorry to hear this sad news.
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