Published: Wednesday, 9th July, 2008 12:00
Crash boy dies in dad’s arms
By Hamish Hutchinson
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Flowers and tributes at the scene where Wayne Shaw died in Sauchie.
Pic by: David Robertson
THE grieving family of 13-year-old Wayne Shaw hope that his dream of having a purpose-built dirt bike track nearby doesn’t die with him.
The Sauchie teenager was tragically killed after he drove into the path of an oncoming car as he headed home on Friday evening.
Wayne was riding his 110cc Yamaha mini-motocross, without his helmet or protective gear, when he took his eyes off the road to wave to a friend.
He collided with a silver Vauxhall Astra motor car travelling on Gartmorn Road, near the Keilars Brae junction, at 5.20pm.
His parents rushed to the scene and his Dad, Francis (41), held Wayne in his arms as he gave his last breath. He was just two weeks shy of his 14th birthday.
Mum, June (44), told the Advertiser, “I used to say he was my angel. He’s a true angel now.”
Football tops, flags and dozens of flowers with personal messages lie at the scene, left by family and friends.
It is a telling sign of a village still in shock from the tragedy.
On Friday afternoon Wayne had been helping his dad paint his van before taking off on his bike, without permission, to get more paint.
June said, “Wayne wanted to be taken to the dis-used coal mine to use his bike but Francis told him they had to finish the van before he’d take him anywhere.
“Francis came in to wash his hands and when he went back outside Wayne was off up the road to get more paint. He wanted to get the van finished quicker.
“He was riding back when one of his mates shouted to him and he waved but kept his hand on the accelerator and didn’t see the car.”
Francis was the first to arrive on the scene and held Wayne in his arms as they waited for paramedics but his head injuries were too severe.
June said, “I’m glad Francis was there because he had his last breath with him. He held him in his arms and that’s when he died.
“The paramedics tried to revive him with all their hearts and I can’t thank them enough.”
The 60-year-old driver of the car involved in the collision was uninjured and the family are clear that they do not pin any blame on him.
She went on, “We’ve told everybody it wasn’t the old man’s fault. Wayne shouldn’t have been out with the motorbike in the first place.”
Biking was Wayne’s first love, having got his first bike when he was four, and he would regularly be taken up to a dis-used opencast mine to ride.
Elder brother James said, “He couldn’t sit still for two seconds, he was always up and away doing something. He loved working on cars, anything with engines really.”
The Shaw family have been overwhelmed by the support and kind words from those in the community.
They pray this tragedy won’t befall anyone else and that Wayne’s dream, of having a dirt bike track nearby, can be realised.
June said, “There is nothing for children and the young ones out there who have bikes. If you have one you need to get a van to transport them up to the pit bings.”
Wayne leaves behind his sister Nicole (15), brothers James (21) and Kenneth (22) and 18-month-old pet American Bulldog, Mia.
Provost Derek Stewart, who lives in Sauchie, paid his respects to the Shaw family.
He said, “This tragic accident has shocked the whole community of Sauchie and beyond. My thoughts and condolences are with Wayne’s family at this very sad time.
“My thoughts are also with the driver who has to live with the consequences of this accident. It’s hard to imagine what both families must be going through.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to contact Central Scotland Police Road Policing Unit on 01786 456000.
For funeral details contact the Co-operative Funeralcare in Alloa on 01259 724211.
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