Kentish Express Ashford & District
Farewell, Tyrese
Hundreds turn out for balloon release after teenager dies following crash outside pub Fundraising page in aid of heartbroken family raises almost £5,000 as friends pay tribute
A teenager who died following a crash outside a pub has been remembered as a “cheeky chap” who “would do anything for love”.
Tyrese Quigley, 18, was riding his moped home last Monday when he was involved in a collision with a Honda Civic at the junction of Hythe
Road and Hunter Road in Willesborough.
The former North School pupil suffered severe head injuries and his life support was switched off at King’s College Hospital in London last Wednesday afternoon.
Just days after his death, Tyrese’s mum Denise Goldsmith and two of his brothers – Lewis and Riley Goldsmith – organised a balloon release to remember the avid football fan.
Held at the playing field bordered by Godinton Road and Western Avenue, hundreds of balloons were sent into the skies over Ashford on Sunday afternoon to mark his death.
They were let off at 2.38pm – the exact time Tyrese’s life support was turned off on Wednesday.
After seeing his brother in hospital, Lewis said: “He hadn’t got a mark on him, it just looked like he was asleep.
“It is so heartbreaking, but knowing his organs will help others is heartening.” Tyrese, who used to play for Ashford football team Bromley Green in the youth league, was one of 18 siblings and supported Manchester United.
Riley added: “Last Monday for most was a day to look towards a brighter future with restrictions being lifted. “Instead, that night we were preparing ourselves to say goodbye to our poor little brother.
“Tyrese will forever be in our hearts and we can’t stop thinking of him – the past few days have been absolute torture. “He will be deeply missed by every single one of us, but he will certainly never be forgotten. Rest in perfect peace, Ty.”
Denise said she was overwhelmed by the love and support the family has received from those who knew her son and amazed how total strangers have rallied around to show their support and love since his death.
She says her son’s heart stopped after the crash but she believes he managed to start it up after 27 minutes so his organs could be donated.
“We feel he started it up again just so that he could give others life,” she said. “We feel that it’s what he would have wanted. We were gifted 18 wonderful years with him and hopefully now he can give others the gift of time.
“We are all devastated. And so are so many people – we’ve had messages from countless people who we don’t know but who knew him in some respect.
“They’ve all been saying how lovely he was, polite and fun to be around, I think it really shows just how much he’s touched the lives of everyone around him.”
The crash happened outside the New Fox Inn just before 10pm last Monday.
Pubgoers gave Tyrese CPR before he was transferred to London where he was then placed on life support
with severe head trauma.
Denise added: “He was a great footballer and got a fair few offers to play for different teams, but decided he wanted to go into the Army.
“He was in the middle of applying when the pandemic hit, and then reconnected with his girlfriend who he absolutely adores, and so said he would rather wait for a few years.
“He absolutely lived for his family and friends – they were the best motivators for him.
“One of the best recent examples was the care he took of his brothers and sisters during lockdown, to allow me to work to bring money in.
“He didn’t even complain once, that was the kind of man he was – he just loved his family.”
Tyrese’s girlfriend, Chloe Harris, said: “He’s going to keep other people alive so I am grateful for that, but at the same time it’s horrible, especially at such a young age.
“He only just turned 18 last month and didn’t even get to buy his first legal pint.”
Friend Gregory Burnley added: “He was such a cheeky chap – he would smile and get away with anything.
“He was such a handsome and lovely boy and it’s such a shame.”
A GoFundMe page set up by friend Helen Stockman to support the family has already raised more than £4,800.
To donate, visit bit.ly/3glUqXy