Mother's tribute to "amazing young boy" who died after a crash while on a bike ride near Pangbourne

THE mother of a 12-year-old boy, who died in a collision while out on a bike ride with his father last year, has paid tribute to her “amazing young boy”.

She also urged parents to check that their children are wearing safety helmets and are competent to be riding on the road.

Her heartbreaking tribute came the day after an inquest into Corey Lee Caton’s death concluded at Oxford Coroner’s Court.

Corey, whose organs have been donated to three people, died on the B417 near Pangbourne on Saturday, November 7 last year.

His mother said: “Corey was an amazing young boy with a bright future, he was healthy and happy, with a passion for life.

"He was a cheeky, mischievous boy and would always make those around him smile and laugh.

“Corey gave me the privilege of being a mum to the most amazing young man and for that I will be forever grateful and proud that I had him in my life, if only for a short time.

“Corey donated his organs to give three other individuals a better future.

“The thought of not seeing Corey grow up to achieve his aspirations saddens me immensely.

“I would never want any parents to go through the agony I am going through.

“I would urge all parents to check that their children are wearing the appropriate clothing and safety helmets, that they are competent cycling on roads and when cycling on unfamiliar roads they are aware of the dangers and are supervised.

“I would like to thank the emergency services and members of the public.

“I would also like to thank the staff at John Radcliffe Hospital for the care and treatment they provided to Corey. I am eternally grateful.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support during this traumatic period.”

Corey’s father also released a tribute to his “beloved son” and said his world had been shattered by the incident.

He added: “On 7 November 2020, I lost my beloved son in a cycling accident.

“I truly wish anything else that day had happened. That we went left not right, that we’d never gone cycling that day or any other day, anything that meant Corey was still alive today, still the intelligent, loving and chuckling witty son with his whole future ahead of him.

“His loss has and will continue to heavily weigh down on his entire family in the absence of his joyous company, someone that his grandparents and I had so many more plans for. Our world has been shattered.

“Through this terrible incident, I would like to thank the John Radcliffe Hospital that tried their absolute best to save his life, the police on the day and since the incident and the Compassionate Friends Charity and Child Bereavement Charity in their help in trying to help me navigate the worst of the worst nightmares.

“We would now like to move from focusing on the accident to remembering the life of our beautiful son/grandson and grieve in peace and appreciate your cooperation in this.”