A HEARTBROKEN family told how they were forced to miss a loved one’s funeral because of the chaos at the Dartford Crossing, warning protesters of the “devastation” their actions are causing.

Sara Culley, her mum and brother were travelling from Southend to Kent yesterday morning, for the funeral of Sara’s aunt, Loura Slater. 

They were among the thousands of motorists caught up in the chaos, and were forced to turn around and give up on attending the funeral due to the closure at the crossing. 

The family were forced to watch the service, due to be held in Eltham, via a video link. 

Sara admits she and her family were left “heartbroken” after missing the funeral.

She added: “I feel guilty as well, if I am honest, that we couldn’t be there with my cousins and family to support them at such a sad time - or even be able to say goodbye ourselves.

“We are devastated and gutted. We should have been there, and we couldn’t be.

“I am not quite sure how we will get over this at the moment, we have had to watch it through a video link, and it was so hard.

“These protesters don’t realise the devastation they cause.”

Protesters, from Just Stop Oil, climbed the QEII bridge at around 5am yesterday morning and remained there throughout the day.

As a result Essex Police were forced the close the Dartford Crossing, leaving many motorists stranded for hours.

Sara admits the devastation at missing her aunt’s funeral was also mixed with rage at those people responsible for the chaos.

And she called on them to ensure future protests do not affect people’s lives.

She added: “I feel angry too, as they don’t realise the impact this has had.

“Obviously with people travelling to and from work, those who have flights, the affect on people like myself who haven’t been able to attend our relative’s funeral or say goodbye; we will never get that chance again.

“Not even to mention the emergency services needing to get to places.

“Why should everything have to stop and be affected so badly because of these selfish people?

“They could do things in a different way without affecting the lives of normal everyday people.

“We are broken as a family because of them.”