|
[27 NOV 00]
CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Students Weep As
They Recall 'Enthusiastic' Friends
Friends
of the five teenagers killed in Friday’s tragedy clung to each
other and wept today as they tried to describe what the loss meant
to them.
At
an emotional press conference held in Nuneaton the students from
King Edward VI college mourned the loss of their colleagues.
Staff
and students have agreed to keep the college open as it tries to
come to terms with the deaths of the five lads in Friday’s
accident in Astley Lane.
Many
of the students were due to attend Jonathon Roberts’ birthday
party. The accident happened as the boys went to look at the venue
during their lunch hour.
College
principal Keith Butterworth said:
”We
are a small, close knit college and we all know each other very
well. A tragedy on this scale almost defies belief. We are
stunned, shattered and so very upset.
“It
is impossible for us to imagine how the families of the five
young men, James Adam, Jonathan, Alex and Craig are feeling and
coping.
“As
a college we have so many staff, students, parent and governors
whoa re upset almost beyond words.
“For
once, in my professional life, I am finding it difficult to
gather appropriate words together to describe my feelings.
“I
would like to express our deepest sorrow and pass on heartfelt
condolences to the five families.
“We
will greatly miss the students and their presence around the
college. They were each studying A-levels and had the world in
front of them. A nicer group of friends would be difficult to
imagine.”
Vice-Principal
Pam Ashton said tributes had been pouring in from staff, students
and parents since the accident.
She
said one of the group had told a member of staff “Don’t forget
to live life to the full,” shortly before leaving college. She
added:
“One
phrase sums them all up so well – they were ‘enthusiastic
participants’.”
The
college is offering help in dealing with bereavement to staff and
students. The college will be closed on Friday as a mark of
respect, and plans for a remembrance service are being considered.
A book of condolences is also being started.
Accident
investigators are still carrying out inquiries to try and
establish what caused the crash at 1.50pm.
They
said today that the road surface was “greasy”, but would not
speculate on the exact circumstances.
SEE
[27 NOV 00] FIVE TEENAGERS
KILLED IN HORRIFIC CRASH
SEE
[27 NOV 00] COMMENT
MEDIA MUST
MAKE AMENDS FOR CRASH FRENZY
|
