A FULL military funeral is to be held in Ingleton in honour of Royal Marine Philip Stephenson, one of three friends killed in a tragic road accident at the weekend.

It will be the first military funeral Ingleton has seen since the 1940s and will take place next Tuesday (June 1) at St Mary's Church at 1pm.

Philip, 22, of New Village, Ingleton, died in the crash along with Scott Bonsall, 20, also of New Village, and Jon Greenfield, 20, of Cheapside, Low Bentham.

The friends had been enjoying a night out before the accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday. Floral tributes have been placed at the spot where the Ford Fiesta XR2, driven by Scott, left the road, hit a one metre high wall before becoming airborne and coming to rest against a tree.

It is believed the car had been travelling towards Kirkby Lonsdale from Ingleton, on the A65, when it crashed just after 2.15am.

Both Scott, a farm labourer for the past two years at a poultry farm in nearby Cowan Bridge, and front seat passenger Philip, a Royal Marine First Class in the 4,5 Commando Unit stationed at Arbroath, died at the scene.

Jon, travelling in the back, was thrown clear of the vehicle but was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Less than six months ago Scott had been told by Skipton magistrates that he was a very young driver and had to learn to be careful and abide by the rules.

The court appearance followed an accident at Westhouse in July 1998 when he had crossed double white lines to overtake a tractor and hit an oncoming hay wagon.

Soon after, his mother was killed in a road accident.

Cards and letters of sympathy have been flooding into the homes of the three men, as the two villages try to come to terms with their loss.

Philip's mother, Margaret, said her youngest son was a fun-loving boy who had lived in the village all his life. He had lots of friends and was a keen mountaineer, runner and mountain biker.

:He had been in the Marines for two years and was settled into his life and had aspirations to go a long way," she said. "I have been overwhelmed with the amount of people who have called to see us and sent letters and cards."

Scott's father, Ken, and step-mum Debbie, are equally devastated, but have also been comforted by the response from fellow villagers, family and friends.

Debbie said of Scott: "He was the sort of lad who never let anything bother him. He got on with everyone and had made lots of friends in the village, even though he had only lived with us full time for the past three years. He had grown up and gone to school in Great Harwood, near Blackburn in Lancashire.

"He was also great with his young step-brothers, Geoffrey, 12, and Harry, 11, and his half-sister, Sophie, four, who keeps asking for him," she added.

Scott loved the outdoors and was a keen sportsman, being particularly good at swimming.

Debbie added that although he enjoyed his job, he had recently spoken about joining the Marines because Philip had told him so much about it. Scott's funeral service is to be held at Lancaster Crematorium on Saturday June 5.

The Herald is respecting Jon's parents' wishes that they do not wish to make any comment, but it is understood his funeral is to be held at St John's Parish Church, Low Bentham, tomorrow (Saturday) at 11am.

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