Memorial benches for Shropshire crash pair
A village has commemorated the lives of two friends who were killed in a road accident more than 12 months ago.
Two benches have been 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, on October 30, 2014.
The benches have been installed in the hall grounds – one donated by the Saturday five-a-side football team and a second by Bob Hicklin, who had known Shane for many years.
Gordon Street, treasurer of the village hall committee, said: "We have got a Saturday football group which Shane and Philip used to play for occasionally. They were all shocked when the accident happened. The footballers then decided to all chip in to have a bench installed in the village hall grounds.
"Then Bob Hicklin, whose son was a friend of Shane, said he would like to put another bench in the village hall grounds.
"I think the parents have been delighted with that.
"The village hall committee will now maintain the benches. We will need to treat them to maintain them which will be done on an annual basis."
As well as the benches, villagers also held a memorial day in the village hall last year to commemorate the lives of the pair. It included a knockout five-a-side football competition.
The event, which was organised by their parents and friends, raised £935 for the village hall.
Mr Street added: "The football group also decided to hold a memorial day which was well attended by people in the village."
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.
Their inquests will be held on Wednesday at the Coroner's Court in County Hall, Ruthin, from 10am.
