"The world is going to be such a lonely place without him": Tributes to victim of Wakefield crash

18 year old Koby Jones died alongside two 19 year olds on Friday night

Koby Jones, far left, pictured with his family
Author: Katie Dickinson, PAPublished 28th Jan 2025
Last updated 28th Jan 2025

One of three teenagers who died after a car hit a tree in West Yorkshire has been named by police as his mother paid tribute to a "kind, thoughtful, hardworking" young man.

Koby Jones, 18, from Flockton, was killed in the crash near the village of West Bretton, near Wakefield, on Friday.

Three of the five people in the car died, and one is still in hospital with life threatening injuries, police said.

In a tribute released on Tuesday, Koby's mother Rebecca said: "Koby was genuinely one of the most kind, thoughtful, hardworking young men I have ever known and we are so proud to call him our son! This family is broken and the world is going to be such a lonely place without him.

"Whoever had the pleasure of meeting him would say the same.

"Love you son. Loved by ALL!"

The black Seat Ibiza was travelling on Bramley Lane when it left the road and crashed at about 8.30pm, West Yorkshire Police said.

The 18-year-old driver and two 19-year-old passengers died, while two other men in the car were taken to hospital.

One was seriously injured, and the other had injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Detective Sergeant Steven Suggitt from the Major Collision Inquiry Team said: "This was clearly a tragic incident where three people lost their lives and a fourth suffered life-threatening injuries and our thoughts remain with their families.

"We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this collision and believe the car left the Horbury Bridge area at around 8.20pm.

"We would like anyone who saw the car travelling between Horbury Bridge and West Bretton around this time to please get in touch.

"We would also like to hear from anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage."

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