Tragic Mikey’s gift to world – saving 6 lives (From Echo)
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Organs of biker killed in Southend collision save six people's lives
6:00am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Southend By Jasmin McDermott
Tragic – flowers and notes left at the crash scene
A YOUNG man who died following a head-on motorbike crash has donated his major organs and saved the lives of six people, his grieving family has revealed.
Mikey Denley, 22, from Southend, died on Saturday, two days after a late-night collision with a moped on the Temple Farm industrial estate, in Southend.
The rider of the moped, Anthony Pendrey, 55, from Southend, was pronounced dead at the scene and Mr Denley was taken to the Royal London Hospital.
Mourning his death yesterday, his uncle, Gary Denley, 49, from Southend, revealed his nephew had been able to leave a parting gift to the world.
He said: “He signed up to be an organ donor and we’ve now been told his organs were able to save six people.
“He was a wonderful young man – very thoughtful and giving, and was the life and soul of the party.
“All the tributes that have been left are lovely and I want to thank everyone for their support.”
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, but no other vehicles were involved.
A third man who was riding pillion on Mr Denley’s bike, named by Mr Denley’s family as James Faulkner, 20, from Ashingdon, remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Denley leaves behind his parents Alan and Lisa, three sisters – Kaylie, Cheri and Lucy – and girlfriend, Chelsea O’Rawe-Hobbs.
Steve Fry, 30, from Southend, used to ride with Mr Denley.
He said: “I’m gutted. Mike was a really good lad.
“He was easy-going and everyone knew him.
“He was a sensible rider. I used to see him down the seafront, a group of us would meet up and go riding.”
Mr Pendrey had only owned his Vespa moped for two weeks when the crash happened.
His brother Steve Pendrey, 57, from Southend, paid tribute to Mr Denley on the Echo’s website.
He wrote: “To hear this young lad has gone has devastated my family as well.
“Two lives gone and a lot of pain for both families.”
