Grieving parents of Alnwick teen warn young drivers

Jun 16 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

THE heartbroken parents of teenage car crash victim Sam Gattens are pleading with young drivers to take extra care on the roads.

Sam, 17, died when his red Vauxhall Corsa overturned on the B6341 near Lion Bridge, just outside Alnwick, Northumberland, in the early hours of Sunday.

Yesterday, The Journal revealed how he had been a fully qualified driver for just six days when the so-far unexplained crash cost the young golfing prodigy his life.

The Duchess’s High School student, from the Highfield Park area of Alnwick, was driving with three friends, who all escaped serious injury.

His devastated parents Michael and Catherine set aside their grief last night to make an emotional safety appeal to teenage motorists. Mr Gattens, 56, a transport industry worker, said: “Far too many young people are dying on the roads and too many families are being left to grieve. When you pass your test you are still not necessarily experienced. Drivers need to take extra care.

“What happened to Sam has hit us hard and we wouldn’t wish how we feel on any other family.”

Mrs Gattens, 49, a ward manager at Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington, described Sam as the ideal son.

“Sam was the most wonderful son anybody could ever want. The whole family adored him,” she said.

“His death has devastated us. We can’t bear to imagine life without him.”

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