Families of people who have lost their lives on the road to take part in special services

Families of people who have lost their lives on the road will take part in special services this weekend to commemorate their loved ones.

The Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police will be holding two memorial services to support the families and friends of those who have died as a result of collisions on our roads.

The dedicated services will be held in Winchester and Thame on Sunday 19 November, which coincides with the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight service will be held at 2.30pm in Christ Church, Christchurch Road, Winchester, and will be led by Revd Dom Jones.

The Thames Valley service will take place at 2.30pm in St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, and will be led by Revd Helen Arnold, Lead Chaplain of Thames Valley Police.  The Bishop of Dorchester, Rt Revd Gavin Collins, will preside over the Act of Commemoration.  

Revd Arnold said: “It is a great privilege to stand alongside our grieving families and friends, and I witness the tireless work of our police colleagues and emergency services who attend these traumatic incidents. It seems right that we gather in this way to comfort one another when lives are torn apart.”

Also attending the services will be local dignitaries, roads policing officers and personnel from fire and ambulance services who all wish to pay their respects those who have lost their lives on the roads.

Families and friends who have been bereaved as a result of road traffic collisions are also invited to attend the services in remembrance of their loved ones.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Bettington, of the Joint Operations Unit Roads Policing Department, said:

"Although the number of fatalities on our roads are slowly reducing, every one that takes place has a devastating impact on families, friends and loved ones. Such fatal collisions also affect my officers and other emergency services who attend and deal with these incidents. Despite the traumatic nature of many of these collisions, we will always remain committed to finding the facts so that we can provide answers and justice to those that survive and have to live on with the consequences.

"This annual service is so important for the force and the people of Thames Valley so that we can stand together to remember those who have lost their lives on our roads. It is also a chance for us all to reflect and recognise on the professionalism and courage demonstrated by police officers, fire fighters and paramedics who attend the scenes of these collisions."

All are welcome to attend however due to church capacity we would therefore request that those wishing to attend please make contact first.

 

For those wishing to attend the Hampshire service, contact us by emailing [email protected]

For those wishing to attend the Thames Valley service, contact [email protected]

 

ENDS

 

NOTES TO EDITOR

 

Hampshire service:

Revd Dom Jones will be available for interview on Friday 17 November 11am-2.30pm.

C/Insp Emma Hart will be available for interview on Friday 17 November 12.30pm-2.15pm.

Please contact [email protected] if you would like an interview slot.

 

Thames Valley service:

Update (15/11/23 17:00): Unfortunately Revd Helen Arnold is no longer available for interviews.

Insp Justin Thomas will be available for interview on Friday 17 November 10am-1pm.

Please contact [email protected] if you would like an interview slot.

 

EB