Grieving family back safety campaign

2:05pm Tuesday 9th January 2007

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THE father of a boy killed in a car crash with his teenage friend at the wheel is backing an advanced training scheme for newly-passed young motorists.

Gwynne Murkin's son Ieuan, 15, from Pontypool, and another friend, 16-year-old Craig Bond, died in the accident on Crumlin Road four years ago.

The driver of the car, Mark Hope, who was 19 at the time, had held his licence for just four months prior to the accident. He was convicted of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Hope was sentenced to three and a half years in a young offenders' institution.

Ieuan and Craig were on their way to a bowling alley in Newport in September 2002 at the time of the fatal crash.

Hope took a bend on Crumlin Road near Pontypool at speeds of up to 80mph. The vehicle somersaulted before colliding with another vehicle.

The case judge said Hope's "age and lack of driving experience" were key factors in the accident.

The 45-year-old sales executive of Broadway, Pontypool, said his son would still be alive today had a more experienced driver been at the wheel.

He is urging more young drivers to take Pass Plus, a six-hour course providing valuable experience of motorway and night-time driving.

Road safety group Capita Symonds are now offering 45 young drivers in Gwent the chance to take the course at a third of the normal price.

The Assembly agreed to fund the scheme, after research showed that drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test than at any other time.

"It may have made a difference if the lad who killed my son had done extra training," said Mr Murkin.