She added their deaths were “tragic for the Spencer family”, who were “very loving and close” and remembered as “lovely people” and “both people of Christian faith”.
Phil spent Friday night in the arms of his family alongside his younger sisters Caryn and Helen, and his older brother David as they supported each other in the wake of the tragedy.
Kent Police confirmed they were called to the incident at 12.36pm on Friday to a report of a single-vehicle collision in Littlebourne.
A spokeswoman said: “Officers attended along with other emergency services and a man and woman in their 80s were taken to a local hospital where they were 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.”
It is unclear who was behind the wheel of the vehicle at the time of the collision but three fire engines and a water rescue unit took two hours to winch the car out of the river.