Village near Ellesmere to commemorate crash victims
A Shropshire village is to commemorate the lives of two friends who were killed in a road accident nearly 12 months ago.
Two benches will be installed in the grounds of Bettisfield Village Hall, near Ellesmere, in memory of Shane Vickers and Philip Madden.
The pair died after the Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Mr Madden hit a tree on the A495 at Bronington, near Ellesmere, before bursting into flames on October 30.
Mr Vickers, 22, a self-employed carpenter from Bettisfield, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while Mr Madden, 19, an apprentice electrician, of Brooklea in Northwood, near Wem, was taken to the Maelor Hospital in Wrexham but died shortly afterwards.
As well as the benches, villagers also held a party in the village hall last month to commemorate the lives of the pair.
Peter Shaw, chairman of the Bettisfield Village Hall Committee, said: "The party included a knockout five-a-side football competition; both young men having been regular Saturday players at the village hall for many years.
"The party, which was a huge success with the hall and car park overflowing, was organised by their parents and friends in the village, and was a fitting reflection on their popularity and the regard in which the two young men were held.
"The event raised a stunning £935 which the two families and their friends very generously donated to Bettisfield Village Hall."
He added: "Two commemorative benches are also to be installed in the hall grounds – one donated by the Saturday five-a-side players and a second by Bob Hicklin, who had known Shane for years."
The pair were driving to Penley when the crash happened just before 11pm.
Post-mortem examinations revealed that Mr Madden suffered major traumatic injuries and Mr Vickers had major thoracic injuries.
Following the crash, Shane's father Norman paid tribute to his son, saying he loved his engines and working with cars and bikes.
He ran his own carpentry and joinery business in Bettisfield where he had a reputation for being reliable, cheerful and skilled at his job.
He had been a student at Penley School and then Shrewsbury College.
He had been friends with Mr Madden for many years.
Mr Madden's brother, Anthony, described Philip as "the kindest, most loyal brother anyone could wish for".
