Multiple Family members of Deceased Elderly Parents in Mini Bus Crash

Jack, the adult son of a lady who lost her life after a motor vehicle accident wanted to speak to the driver of that vehicle.

His mum was in her 80’s but very spritely and she had organised a trip to a Christmas market. It was on the return journey, in the mini bus she had arranged, that the accident took place. Of 15 elderly people, 3 lost their lives and several others were injured, some left with life changing injuries. The driver, David, was also injured. He was later convicted of causing Death by Dangerous Driving and sentenced to prison. Jack was able to speak with his mother in hospital before she died but felt strongly that he wanted to speak with David too. Jack’s had lost her own mother to a drink driver when she was young.

Jack’s brother, Adrian, also wanted to meet David, but the two brothers are very different and needed different approaches. Both of their wives decided they would also like to meet with and speak with David as one had lived with the deceased and the other had lost her own mother as described earlier. All four people had individual reasons to want to take part in RJ but all four were united in their compassion and concern for the offender who was now in Prison. We visited all four family members on multiple occasions to work with them and prepare them for the Conference. We also visited David in Prison to prepare him for the meetings.  He was very keen but very nervous to take part and was suffering mental health issues because of the incident.

Two Conferences were arranged, one for each brother and wife. All parties agreed this was the best way forward and the Conferences were held in the Chaplaincy at the Prison. All those who took part were very grateful for the opportunity to talk to each other and to ask questions and get answers.