BIKES JOIN FUNERAL IN TRIBUTE TO ‘TANK’
HUNDREDS of people have gathered for the funeral of a popular father-of-two who died in an accident. Mourners lined the streets in Newport with some joining the cortege on Malpas Road and Chepstow Road on quad and scrambler bikes and classic cars in tribute to Tyrone David Nurden, known as “Tank”, who died in an accident on Usk Road last month.
Many mourners wore gold ribbons and clothes to remember their friend’s favourite colour. Tank’s gold coloured coffin was taken by horsedrawn carriage to St John’s Church, Maindee, for the service.
The church was packed with more than 500 inside and in the adjoining church hall and hundreds more outside.
The service was live streamed and on speakers for those who could not fit inside the church.
The Rev Keith Beardmore, who took the service, had words of comfort for Tank’s grieving family and friends, who clapped as the 36-yearold’s coffin was brought into the church to music by Israel IZ Kamakawiwo and the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Family friend Louise Lewis read an emotional eulogy remembering a “unique” man whom she said touched the lives of all he knew.
She said “Tank was one of those people who made a real impact on everyone he met” and was “unique in every sense of the word”.
The packed church and lined streets were testament to Tank’s many friends, Louise told mourners.
Louise recalled how Tank got his nickname aged four when he tried to lift the heavy weights his beloved late father Mike was lifting.
“Look at him, he’s like a tank,” his father said, and the name stuck.
As a schoolboy he played rugby for Newport High, where even his teachers knew him as “Tank”.
After losing his father Tank shed 13 stone and got into fitness and boxing, helping train and inspire others, Louise told mourners. He was a well known and liked member of the community and would always help others.
During the Beast from the East snowstorms of 2018 he used his 4x4 vehicle to take doctors and nurses through snow-blocked roads to work at the Royal Gwent Hospital and also donated toys to the accident and emergency department.
“Tank was one of a kind. He took huge pride in his appearance and he really did look good. Gold was his favourite colour. He had an energy and aura around him. He believed life was for living and enjoyed life,” mourners were told.
Tank’s older brother Craig broke down several times as he fought back tears remembering his sibling.
He was simply “the best brother you could wish for”, said Craig.
“We had a strong bond. A telepathic bond. He was my younger brother but he always had the best answers and always helped when we needed it.
“He was my best friend and best brother. You met him and you never forgot him.”
Mourners sang Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline as Tank’s coffin was carried out of the church and on to his final journey to St Woolos Cemetery before friends and family gathered at Rodney Parade for the wake.