More than 200 people turned out today to mourn a 16-year-old boy who died following a crash on a quad bike he had owned for just two days.
Jake Leahy, of Dawson Place, Dudley Hill, Bradford, died at Bradford Royal Infirmary from the injuries he suffered in a collision in Bierley House Avenue, Bierley, on November 23.
Jake, nicknamed Pikey because of his travellers’ background, had been illegally riding the quad on the road with his best friend Danny Moore, also 16, when it was in collision with a Ford Focus.
Today it was standing room only during a service to celebrate Jake’s life at Woodside Village Centre, before a horse-drawn hearse took him on his final journey to Scholemoor Crematorium.
Janice Thornton, a Humanist celebrant, speaking on behalf of Jake’s family, said he had always been fanatical about bikes, ever since he was given a model of a quad bike on his first birthday, and had dreamed of owning a powerful motorbike.
She said Jake had been riding a scooter for a number of months prior to buying the quad bike – something he had “longed for.”
She said: “Jake was mischievous but he would do anything to help those he was close to. This is how he should be remembered, rather than the way he died.
“Jake was such a young man and that sharpens the disbelief that he is not still around.
“He had a passion for the fun and games of life. He was one for the here and now.
“Jake got on great with girls and treated them with respect. He was a real little charmer.”
Jake had been excluded from secondary school several times, but had spent a term at a Pupil Referral Unit where he gained skills in wall-building and joinery, and had recently started work as a labourer.
The service included some of Jake’s favourite music, including the theme tune to Reservoir Dogs.
His mum, Lynsey, said: “He loved music, so we wanted to play the music he liked as he grew up.”
An inquest into Jake’s death was last week opened and adjourned pending further police inquiries.
e-mail: will.kilner@telegraphandargus.co.uk
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