Harry Abbey’s mum in plea to young bikers after son’s Winwick death

Harry Abbey, from Culcheth, was riding a motorbike to work when he collided with a combine harvester at the junction of Hollins Lane and Watery Lane in Winwick on July 21, 2021.

Harry, who died aged 19, was bright, intelligent, a keen mathematician and good in the kitchen, and he wanted to become a motor mechanic due to his love of bikes.

Now, two years on, his mother Bev Abbey is sharing his and her story in a bid to stop any other families going through what they have.

She has given Harry’s bike to Cheshire Police to be used by the roads education team, which will take the bike – which has been secured to a trailer – to schools and colleges across the county.

Bev and Harry’s three siblings – Amy, Lucy and Tom – have also bravely opened up on the impact losing Harry has had on them to show to young people that their lives matter to those they leave behind – and encourage them to take road safety seriously.

They have done so in a video released on Cheshire Police’s social channels, with this to be also used in schools and colleges across the county.

Of people killed on a motorbike in 2021 and 2022, 55 per cent were between 17 and 26 years old.

Of these, 40 per cent were teenagers. All of them were boys – Harry was one of them.

During Harry’s inquest, Bev described July 21 as the saddest day for the family and the most traumatic experience they will ever go through.

“Harry was our youngest child. He was the baby of the family. Harry was never a difficult child. He was a typical lad,” she said.

She also spoke of his fearless approach to life, his love for bikes and his hopes and dreams.

“He paid dearly for that fearlessness with his life. Thanks for being a brilliant son, we love you.”

Bev speaking to students about staying safe on the roads

The inquest concluded that the former Culcheth High School student died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash.

On the new video campaign, PC Darren Daniels, road safety education officer for Cheshire Police, said: “I attend schools and colleges across the county all the time, educating and encouraging young people on how to stay safe while driving their cars or riding their bikes – yet serious and fatal collisions still happen.

“We want young people to understand that they are not invincible, and their life matters.

“It matters to those who are left behind dealing with the consequences, and I hope that by Bev bravely sharing Harry’s story – and using his bike as an educational tool – we can make a real difference and help to reduce the number of young people who are needlessly killed on the county’s roads.”

Bev added: “Losing Harry has been one of the most traumatic experiences of mine and my family’s life.

“That pain, it does not go away. It will be there all the time – you just make more room for it and learn to live alongside it.

“I want young people to know that they have a responsibility for not only their own lives, but a responsibility to come home – back to the people that love them.”

John Dwyer, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “It was really important for me to provide funding to help promote road safety amongst young people, often as their inexperience on our roads can lead to collisions and fatalities.

“We know that the 17 to 25 age bracket sadly makes up a large proportion of incidents on our roads.

“Making Cheshire’s roads safer is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and this bike is one way in which we can educate people about the importance of sharing the road.

“I want to thank Bev for making the brave decision to let Cheshire Police share their story.

“Harry’s life mattered, and his family’s support for this campaign will help to prevent more young people being killed on our roads.”