Hundreds at funeral of firefighter Mat Evans

A SHROPSHIRE FIREFIGHTER who died in a motorcycle crash on the Isle of Man was today given full service honours at his funeral.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay tribute to father-of-one Mat Evans, of The Grove, Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, who died in the accident at Mountain Box on June 4.

Today five fire appliances with their emergency blue lights on travelled from Shrewsbury Fire Station to St George's Church in Pontesbury as part of a procession ahead of the 29-year-old's funeral.

The coffin was taken into the church to the sound of Lou Reed's song Walk on the Wild Side as the clock struck noon. About 300 people turned out for the 40-minute service after the procession which was led by a police escort.

Packed

Colourful floral tributes were laid at the church and the building was so packed for the service that about 70 people listened to it on speakers outside.

Fire officers, firefighters and staff from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the funeral to pay tribute to a "professional firefighter, loving father to Mollie, son, brother, and steadfast friend".

Ahead of today's service Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond said: "Serving our community with Green Watch Shrewsbury, Mat quickly became a valued member of the team and, always keen to learn, developed to become a fully qualified firefighter in November 2009.

"Mat will be sadly missed by all who knew him and will be remembered as a much loved and respected colleague and friend."

At the funeral, a eulogy was read by brigade chaplain Reverend Peter Barnes.

He said: "Mat had many loves in life and lived life to the full, but above all, the most important things to Mat were his family and friends.

"Mat will be missed by so many people for so many different things, but everyone who met him will always remember him for his 'can do' approach to life, caring nature and that amazing smile that lives on in his daughter Mollie."

In 2007, he "fulfilled his life's ambition" by joining Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

By John Kirk and Sam Pinnington