Memorial ride plan for bike death teens (From Echo)

Memorial ride plan for bike death teens

2:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News By Emma Palmer

FRIENDS of two south Essex teenagers who died together in a tragic road accident have pledged to hold an annual motorcycle ride in their memory.

Pals of South Woodham Ferrers couple Brad Cooper and Abbey Parker say they will release details of a memorial event to honour the pair in the near future.

It comes as more tributes to Brad, 18, who was an engineering student at Basildon ’s Prospects College and Abbey, 17, who worked at a hairdressing salon in Burnham, poured in via a special Facebook page set up in memory of the couple.

James Begley of Prospects College, where Brad was studying for an apprenticeship qualification, said: “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate when an apprentice demonstrates dedication, motivation and commitment - all of which Bradley excelled in, plus many more.

“Bradley was always respected and admired by his peers, friends and colleagues and will be sadly missed.

“We were proud to have Bradley as an apprentice and our thoughts are with everyone that knew him.”

The devoted couple, who had been together for three-and-a-half years were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, in Burnham Road, North Fambridge, on Sunday morning.

The keen motorbikers were on their way to take part in the charity Essex Air Ambulance run from Laindon to Harwich when they were involved in a collision with a tractor.

Brad was driving his Yamaha motorbike while Abbey was the pillion passenger.

A 43-year-old man from the Chelmsford area was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death while uninsured and released on police bail until January.

Abbey and Brad’s friend Jake Howard, 17, of South Woodham Ferrers, said: “Everyone who knew them knew them as Brad and Abbey, not as individuals.

“They were two people who I’d never seen without smiles on their faces.

“Brad was such a happy person and if you were ever in trouble he’d be the first to help. “That boy would do anything for you. Abbey was just the same as well.”

Another mate, Lauren Woodley, 18, paid her tribute to the pair by having “Brad and Abbey 16/09/12” along with a heart shape tattooed onto the back of her neck.

She said: “I just felt like this was the right way for me to pay my respects and show how much they meant to me.”