Police holding memorials for families who've lost lost loved ones in road traffic collisions
The families of those who've died in road traffic collisions in the Thames Valley and Hampshire will be honoured this afternoon
Families of those who have lost their lives on the roads in the Thames Valley and Hampshire and Isle of Wight taking part in special memorial services today.
The services help support the families and friends of those who have died as a result of collisions on roads in the region.
Fran Telfer from Hughenden in Buckinghamshire lost her daughter Amy, who was pregnant with her second child at the time, in a road traffic collision in 2019.
She said: “Losing somebody in a road collision is always shocking, it's always traumatic. Very often there's no time to say goodbye, or most times there's no chance to say goodbye.”
Fran also said: “I would say to people on the roads, just think what you're doing before you get behind the wheel of a car. It's not a toy. It's a responsibility, and you have a responsibility to everybody else on the roads.”
The Thames Valley service will take place at 2.30pm in St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Road, Thame, Oxfordshire.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight service will be held at 2.30pm in Christ Church, Christchurch Road, Winchester.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Thomas, Head of Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit said, “Every life lost on our roads sends shockwaves far beyond the crash itself.
“It shatters families, friends, colleagues and entire communities, leaving scars that last a lifetime.
“These tragedies are never isolated; they create ripples of grief that touch countless lives. Our memorial services are a chance to pause, to honour those we’ve lost and to stand with the loved ones left behind.
“They also remind us of the extraordinary professionalism and courage shown by the emergency services who face these heart-breaking scenes.”