Friends’ ride to remember crash couple (From Echo)

Friends’ ride to remember crash couple

4:02pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Emma Palmer

TWO apprentice students from Basildon have organised a memorial bike ride for their much-missed friends Brad Cooper and Abbey Parker.

Kyle Masters, 18, from Laindon, and Matt Thomas, 18, from Benfleet , have helped put together the motorcycle ride after being devasted by the loss of their fellow Prospects College student, Brad.

Brad, 18, of South Woodham Ferrers was riding his Yamaha motorbike with his girlfriend of three-and -a-half years Abbey, 17, on the back when they collided with two tractors in Burnham Road, North Fambridge, on Sunday morning.

They both died at the scene from multiple injuries. A 43-year-old Chelmsford man was arrested on suspicion of causing death while uninsured.

Now the couple’s friends plan to run a memorial ride from Pitsea to the spot where the pair died.

Kyle, who knew Brad as a youngster when they were both into motocross, before both becoming students at Prospects in Crompton Close, Basildon, said: “We want as many people as possible to come along on their motorbikes and join in the ride, because that’s what Brad loved, motorbiking.

“Abbey and Brad loved having fun, so although it will be a difficult day, we will try to have a laugh for them.

“Brad was a brilliant bloke. You would never hear anyone say a bad word about him, or Abbey.

“We’re expecting there to be a big turnout, because that’s how much they were loved.”

Since the crash, friends have rallied to pay their respects to the couple, with hundreds leaving emotional messages on a special Facebook site.

The memorial ride, which is set to attract hundreds of motorcyclists who knew engineer apprentice Brad and hairdresser Abbey – who lived in Mayland, near Maldon – will take place on Sunday, September 30.

The event will have two meeting points – at the Tesco store at 10am, then at McDonalds near Pitsea flyover, at 10.45am.

The convoy of bikes will head over the crash site for a two-minute silence.

Bikers will then ride to Southend seafront, where they will park up, have a chat and hold a collection in memory of their friends.

The money will be given to the couples’ parents to use in the way they prefer to remember their much-loved children. It is thought a memorial bench or plaque could be made.

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