Heartbroken mother thanks passers-by after son killed in Shropshire border crash

Jessica Longman – mother of 16-year-old Kalun Longman – has paid tribute to those who stayed with her son after he had collided with a transit van while riding his Aprilia RS50 moped on the A483 at Llanymynech, near Oswestry, on October 6 last year.

Mrs Longman has spoken out following her son's inquest, where coroner for Powys Andrew Barkley recorded that Mr Longman had died from multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision.

His mother said she "can't thank those who stayed with him enough".

She said: "I can't imagine what it would've been like for those there on the day but me and Kalun's father want to say a big thank you to those who stayed with Kalun after it had happened and helped him. We really can't thank them enough and the emergency services too.

"We'd also like to thank everyone for their continued support during this difficult time."

Mrs Longman said since her son's death in October, more than £5,000 has been raised through fundraising events including a charity football match and there are more plans for fundraisers in the pipeline.

She said: "We've got a few different fundraisers lined up including nine of us are planning on taking part in a charity skydive this year, we're also looking to do another auction as well as a kid's party.

"We're looking forward to it, it's something positive in all this, and I'm very proud to say that more than £5,000 has been raised since Kalun's passing.

"I'm proud of the person he was and the lasting legacy he leaves behind with this amazing total."

The money raised in Mr Longman's memory will be donated to the Wales Air Ambulance and the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation – a cause close to the family's heart.

Pitt Hopkins syndrome is a condition characterised by intellectual disability and developmental delay, breathing problems, epilepsy, and distinctive facial features. Mrs Longman added: "Our friend's little boy has Pitt Hopkins syndrome. It's a rare condition but if something positive can come from Kalun's death, then it can be raising awareness and funds for this rare syndrome that many people are completely unaware of."

During the inquest, which was held last week, Kalun's father Chris, said his son was a "genuine young man who loved life and was loved by his friends".

He said his son, who was studying construction management at college, had been riding his moped since his 16th birthday in May last year and that he had ridden it every day to his work, GF Grigg Construction in Newtown, as well as to see his girlfriend in Welshpool and to college in Wrexham.

On the day of the crash it was only the fourth time he had travelled to Wrexham on it.

Mr Longman was also a keen footballer who had played for Newtown Whitestars and Abermule.