Find our son's killer
Nov 5 2007 by Jule Wilson, The Journal
THE parents of a 16-year-old boy killed in a hit-and-run accident made an emotional appeal yesterday for the driver to come forward.
Gary Edgar, of Cromwell Avenue, Winlaton, Gateshead, died just over two weeks ago after being hit by a vehicle when he was crossing the A1 Western bypass in Gateshead.
His heartbroken parents, Yvonne, 51, and Alexander, 52, known as Alec, spoke of their devastation at losing their only son for the first time yesterday at a memorial match in honour of the keen footballer.
They also told of their hope that the driver who killed him will come forward.
Alec said: “The police have now begun to make appeals nationwide and we just hope they catch the driver. Someone somewhere knows something, and no matter how insignificant they think it might be, we beg them to call Crimestoppers or go to the police.”
Yvonne added: “I hope they can live with themselves because we are not at the moment. This person can’t be eating, drinking or living a normal life because we aren’t. Justice has to be done.”
The couple, who have two daughters, Shelley, 26, and Suzanne, 24, also paid tribute to Gary’s team-mates at Blaydon Youth Club under-16s who made their first appearance on the pitch since the tragedy yesterday, in a memorial match in his honour.
Yvonne said: “I am so proud of them, and I was proud of the way they conducted themselves at his funeral on Thursday as well.
“I have known many of these lads since they were six when Gary started playing for Winlaton Juniors.
“Football was a big part of his life and this match means a lot to us.”
The team, who were playing Ryton FC under-16s, has already removed Gary’s number five shirt from its team strips in tribute to him, and yesterday players wore black armbands after presenting Yvonne and Alec with a bouquet of flowers and holding a minute’s silence.
Gary, a pupil at Kingsmeadow Comprehensive School, Dunston, Gateshead, was a strong believer in organ donation and saved four lives as far afield as Germany after his parents carried out his wishes.
Alec said: “We are so proud that Gary had the forethought to sign up as a donor and I hope it acts as an example to other people his age.
“The fact that he was able to help four people means a great deal to us and does give us some small comfort.”
Gary’s team-mates described their friend as boisterous and gregarious, adding he would be sorely missed on the pitch.
Nicholas Montgomery, 15, of Winlaton, had known Gary since he was nine and said: “This is a special match. I think Gary would have liked the idea that we’re playing for him today.”
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Gary has given life to four other people
Gary was a firm believer in organ donation and his organs went to save four lives.
His lungs saved a life in Germany, his kidneys went to patients in Leicester and London and his spleen to a recipient in Birmingham.
Hundreds of mourners packed into St Cuthbert’s Church, Blaydon, to pay their last respects to Gary on Thursday.
The vehicle which hit him was travelling north.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Motor Patrols team at Whickham police station on (0191) 221-9540.
