Family of Coventry teenage cyclist killed in crash pays tribute while nearly £3k donated in support - The Coventry Observer

Family of Coventry teenage cyclist killed in crash pays tribute while nearly £3k donated in support

Coventry Editorial 8th Oct, 2018 Updated: 8th Oct, 2018   0

THE FAMILY of a Coventry teenager killed in a crash have paid tribute to ‘a beautiful son’ while nearly £3,000 has been raised to support them.

Ryan Willoughby-Oakes, 17, was cycling in Binley Road at the junction with Hipswell Highway at around 7.15pm on Friday (October 5) when he was hit by a car.

The trainee electrician, from nearby Newey Road, suffered a critical head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family released a heart-breaking statement through West Midlands Police.




It says: “Our beautiful son was taken from us too soon.

“He was a kind hearted, happy, selfless young man who always had a cheeky smile.


“Ryan was a trainee electrician who loved his BMX and playing the guitar.

“He was everything you could wish for in a son, grandson, brother and friend and we will miss him more than words can express, as will everyone who knew him.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision involving a Nissan GT-R.

The driver of the car – a 36-year-old man – stopped at the scene and provided a negative breath test.

He has not been arrested but is helping police with enquiries.

Grieving friends of the popular teenager have offered their support to his family while crowdfunding pages have been created.

Claire Phillips, a friend of the family, created a JustGiving page with a target to raise £2,500 – of which £2,000 has already been donated.

On the page she wrote: “As a close friend of the family I feel it is important to let people know who Ryan was.

“Ryan did a lot of work at a local school on behalf of the parent supporters association to help fundraise, set up and run events as a valued volunteer.

“He was a very polite, well respected young man and whenever people met him he always had a friendly, caring manner.

“He would always go out of his way to be as helpful as he could in whatever he did.

“We are trying to raise some money to support the family at this tragic time to go to whatever costs they will have.

“All donations however small will go a long way to support the family at this time.”

A similar crowdfunding page has been created on Facebook by Ryan’s friend Rowan Simpson and it has already smashed its target of raising £350 – hitting £800 after only two days.

Rowan wrote on the page: “Ryan was a caring, loving lad who impacted everyone he knew he will be missed immensely.

“I’m trying to help with funeral costs and such and help will be appreciated.”

Detective sergeant Paul Hughes from the force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said on Friday: “This is a tragic incident in which a young man has lost his life while out riding his bike.

“Our specially trained Family Liaison Team are offering his family and loved ones support at this very difficult time.

“We understand the car was travelling on Binley Road from west to east and the cyclist was crossing at the traffic lights when the collision occurred.

“We have already spoken to some witnesses and are assessing CCTV – but if anyone saw the impact and has not yet contacted us, or may have caught the collision on a dash-cam or cycle-cam, then I’d urge them to get in touch as they could have important information.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on email at [email protected], call 101 or Live Chat via WMP Online between 8am and midnight. Please quote 2326 from 5 Oct.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/claire-phillips-3?utm_term=w54nQWr7x or www.facebook.com/donate/1988866241405199/1032964996864545/

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