THE LIVES of three young Islanders are to be celebrated in a remembrance gig that will highlight the important issue of road safety.
The ‘Don’t Forget’ gig at St George’s Park, Newport, on Friday January 25, will be dedicated to the lives of Pascha Burgoyne, 16, Tom Rees, 17, and Martin Hawker, 18, who all lost their lives in traffic accidents in the West Wight in the last two years.
The free gig, featuring two Island bands, coincides with a particularly tragic anniversary for one of the victims for not only will it be almost a year to the day Pascha died, it is also just days away from what would have been her 18th birthday.
The event is being organised by the Isle of Wight Council as part of its One Island campaign to highlight road safety issues. The gig and subsequent posters that will be displayed around the Island once again use real examples of local accidents to convey the message that road accidents affect real people and real lives.
Diana Tuson, IW Council cabinet member for Safer Communities said: “Once again we are indebted to the people touched by tragedy for their support in helping us get this message across.
“It is their experiences that add realism to our campaign. We hope that by using local examples we can really carry our message across to young people.
“Our Christmas drink-drive campaign also featured a local accident victim, Andy O’Neill and the feedback from this has been very encouraging. Using local stories is a hard-hitting and emotional way of getting the message across but we also believe it is effective.”
Statistics show that young people are particularly vulnerable to traffic accidents.
In the last five years (01/07/02-30/06/07) there have been 27 fatal collisions on the Island claiming 29 lives, 41 percent of which were under 24.
Among those bare statistics are the cases of Pascha, Tom and Martin.
Pascha, of Freshwater, was a passenger in a car that crashed at Luckett’s Farm, Yarmouth, on January 26 last year.
At the time of her tragedy, she was eagerly looking forward to her school’s Winter Ball. Her purse containing the Prom ticket lay amongst the wreckage. Gifted academically, Pascha was also a successful athlete, with sprinting as her main discipline running for both the Island and Hampshire every year since 2002. Her future plans included studying A levels and going on to study Chemistry at Bath University.
Pascha’s parents, Noel & Tina said: “We really hope young people sit up & listen to this campaign. If there is one thing, we as parents, have learnt from this is that this can happen to anyone — We have lost a great friend and beautiful daughter who we have lovingly nurtured since the day she was born – Pascha is not supposed to be dead.”
Tom Rees was killed in a motorcycle accident on the middle Road at Swainston in July 2007. He was hugely popular within the scouting and motocross fraternity and was known as a gentle giant with a very kind nature. He was never happier than when caring for his great array of pets, and was always there to assist the young motocross riders. He was regularly seen picking up fallen riders, re-starting their bikes and helping them on their way. A career in animal welfare was Tom’s dream — a dream he never had time to fulfil.
Gerald Rees, Tom’s Dad said: “Campaigns such as these show that traffic accidents are not choosey on who they effect, Pascha, Tom and Martin were three very different people living very different lives.
“Local campaigns, using local will make people think. I do also believe that restrictions similar to those for motorcycle riders, should apply to young drivers. Limiting young drivers to vehicles with lower brake horse power can only help.”
Martin Hawker also died on the Middle Road in a separate accident in February 2006.
A typical 18-year-old, Martin’s interests centred on music, golf with his Dad, his car his mates and a lifetime love of hats! Martin wasn’t the best academically but had the biggest heart; he was kind loyal and reliable, he’d turn out of bed at 4am if a friend needed help — one of life’s true friends gone forever.
Martins mum, Wendy Newnham said: “I fully support this campaign. I hope it highlights to young people that actions have consequences.
“Martin’s actions have caused our lives to have been changed dramatically. If he walked through the door tomorrow I’m not sure whether I’d hug him or hit him. I’m so angry at him for leaving us. He’ll always be 18 — I’ll never know what he’d have grown into. I hope that listening to how my life has been since Martin died will deter young drivers from driving in a manner which could result in their parents living this nightmare. Please don’t be the reason your parents gain membership to this elite club- their lives will never be the same again.”
The Gig will end a week dedicated to educating the Islands 16-18year olds of the dangers associated with driving. Every Island high school and college has been invited to attend the annual Safe Drive Stay Alive Roadshow – a brutally honest account of a road traffic crash delivered by the personnel who regularly have to deal with the devastation caused by these events.
Tickets for the gig are free and being offered to high school students. Island wide bus travel will be available to and from the event.
Senior road safety officer Tracey Skipper, said: “The families have been incredibly brave letting us have an insight into their lives since tragedy came through their door.
“I hope that as people glance at the poster, the faces looking out will convince them to make the right choices when in charge of a vehicle and serve as a reminder of the consequences if they don’t.”
Police are also supporting the initiative.
Sgt Paul Bailey of Shanklin Roads Policing Unit, said: “The launch of the gig is a celebration of the lives of Pascha, Tom and Martin and also a time for everyone to reflect on the reasons behind this tragic loss of life.
“It is also an opportunity for everyone to consider their position as driver or passenger, and how it may affect the outcome of a journey. We would urge everybody to acknowledge how easily life is lost in circumstances which could be avoided, given a little more consideration.”
