Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Jack tribute
Road closed for emotional vigil to crash victim
A main road was closed to allow family and friends pay their respects to a young motorcyclist.
Hundreds of people joined a moving farewell to Jack Whichello at the scene where he was tragically killed in a road accident.
The 20-year-old, a former MidKent College student, died after his motorbike hit a tree at Herne Common on August 27.
More than 300 people gathered at the site where he lost his life as part of an emotional memorial gathering where loved ones hugged each other in a show of support and shared grief.
At about 6.30pm, after closing the road, his family and friends walked along the A291 Canterbury Road to the spot where he was killed. There they laid flowers, candles and images of Jack as a way of paying their respects.
The vigil was organised via a Facebook page and afterwards friends and family thanked those who attended.
Christina Clark wrote: “What a wonderful tribute to Jake tonight, so heart-wrenching, wonderful to see so many lovely people thank you Paul Whichello and Selina Whichello for inviting us today to pay our respects to Jake.”
Jack was heading towards Canterbury when the accident happened at about 3.30pm, near the First and Last pub. The popular student, who lived in Gillingham, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
An earlier tribute on Facebook by step-mother Selina Whichello said: “He leaves an empty hole in our hearts but we believe through the help of our friends and family we will be united as one and be strong together, he will be greatly missed.”
Father Paul added: “I have had lovely messages from the neighbours that helped Jack immediately after his crash, including the landlord of the pub.
“All have said that Jack had people around him trying their best to save him and every one of them has been deeply upset by the accident.”