Jack will always be the love and light of our lives
THE family of a teenager killed in a crash in Snowdonia have paid an emotional tribute to him and thanked others injured in the accident for trying to save his life.
Jack Keene died after the Renault Clio car he was in collided with a minubus on the A4086 near Capel Curig on Thursday morning.
The 17-year-old was described as a “much loved son, brother, uncle and friend to so many”.
Jack’s 18-year-old girlfriend was seriously injured and four others required hospital treatment.
In a statement released yesterday, the family said: “We are extremely grateful to the emergency services for the professional and compassionate manner they dealt with the tragic collision.
“We wish to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the driver and passengers of the minibus who did what they could to try to save Jack and tend to Jack’s girlfriend. We are truly sorry they were involved in such a tragic incident and had to witness such a scene.
“We would like to especially thank the persons who tried to resuscitate Jack. It was a very brave thing to do after being involved themselves in such an awful collision.
“They should be at peace to know Jack was beyond saving. We wish all the injured parties a speedy recovery.”
Describing Jack, from Hertfordshire, as a gifted sportsman, his family added: “Jack is and always will be the love and light of our lives. He was kind, loving, selfless and touched the lives of all he met.
“He was very loyal and compassionate.
“Jack’s presence and charisma would light up the room. Jack’s light has not gone out it, it has just moved place.
“We are beyond heartbroken to have tragically lost our treasured and much loved son, brother, uncle and friend to so many. We ask that our privacy is respected at this heartbreaking time and allow us to grieve in peace.”
A crowdfunding appeal to raise £3,000 to cover the cost of Jack’s funeral has already surged to more than £2,000.
Police are continuing to investigate the accident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are particularly keen on speaking to the driver or passengers of a silver or grey pick up-type vehicle that overtook a white minibus between Plas y Brenin and Pen-y-Gwryd prior to the collision shortly before 7am.
Sergeant Raymond Williams said: “If you were the driver or were a passenger in that silver or grey pick up-type vehicle then please contact us.”