Joy for family of teen killed in crash as tributes can remain at West Bromwich park
Friends of a teenage moped rider who died in a collision with a car in the Black Country have been informed that tributes in his memory will be allowed to remain in a West Bromwich park.
Lewis Williams, aged 16, from Great Bridge, died in the collision in Princes End, Tipton, on October 12 last year.
Fellow teenagers began meeting in Farley Park and gathered around a tree leaving tributes and candles to the teenager.
They started an online petition which gained nearly 10,000 signatures after fearing the tree on which they had placed ribbons and tributes would be removed.
But now Sandwell Council has issued a statement saying that the items placed in memory of Lewis will be allowed to remain.
His mother Helen Massey, aged 37, a support worker for people with learning difficulties, said: "Every night I walk the dogs and see the lights all lit up and it is comforting.
"When I was contacted by Sandwell Bereavement Services and told there might be a time frame for the removal of the items I was crying all the way to work.
"Lewis' friends decorated the tree and placed tributes and it is comforting to both myself and other two children, 19-year-old Tia and 10-year-old Kodi.
"It is amazing to think that young lads have done this as a mark of respect and it is quite over-whelming.
"Lewis was such a well-loved lad and part of the community around the Greets Green area.
"My mother, Diane Williams, died two months after Lewis and her house is close to the tree around which people have placed tributes and so it is important to the family."
Her friend Lisa Tromans, aged 41, said that her 14-year-old daughter, Maisey Tromans, and her friends had started the petition to ensure that the tributes were allowed to stay in the park.
She said: "Young people on the estate and Lewis' family find comfort from visiting the area.
"The tributes are just beautiful and obviously we are happy that nothing has been touched."
In a statement Sandwell Council said: "We recognise there can be a need for communities to come together in support of a bereaved family and understand the importance the memorial items at Farley Park have to Lewis' family and friends and we send out condolences to them.
"We would like to reassure Lewis' loved ones and everyone who has signed the petition that we are not seeking to remove the items placed in Lewis's memory or the tree, and we will continue to liaise with his family to ensure he is remembered by all who knew him."
