The family and friends of a teenager who died in a horrific road traffic collision have paid their final farewell to their “brave, courageous, and witty boy that always had a smile on his face”.
Aaron Bell, 18, was killed along with two of his friends, Thomas Shevels, 18, and Louis Banks, 17, when the car they were travelling in crashed on the B6268 between Bedale and Masham on Friday, July 28.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, heartfelt tributes have flooded in for all three teens from their communities, family, and sports clubs – describing them as “great kids” and “eternally loved”.
Read more: Devastated community pay tribute to two teenagers killed in B6268 Masham Road crash
On Thursday (August 25) – hundreds gathered at St Mary’s Church in Masham to pay their final respects to Aaron.
Outside the church, mourners lined the streets, while countless teammates from Wensleydale RUFC and North Stainley Cricket Club, along with family members and friends, gathered at the entrance before the funeral service.
The popularity of the 18-year-old shone through by how many people attended, with an outside area required for additional mourners.
The funeral began with a touching moment: five of his closest friends and his dad, Andy, carried his coffin into St Mary’s – followed by a floral tribute from his family that spelt ‘Aaron’.
During the service, those gathered were reminded of the “extraordinary” life of the 18-year-old that included sporting achievements, academic brilliance, and his love of showing sheep at agricultural fairs, including the highlight of his year, The Great Yorkshire Show.
His family, through a speech read out by Aaron’s godfather Darren Wilkinson, described the loss as a “seismic crater” in their lives – while remembering his “cheeky chappy” persona, which always saw him wear a smile on his face.
It was his friendship, though, that was documented most, with his best friend Connor summing up Aaron’s loss as “like a part of me has gone” and his friends from Bishop Burton College, where he was studying an extended diploma in sport, called him their “big brother” who had “bucketful’s of kindness”.
A promising sports person, who had represented Wensleydale RUFC for 12 years, and North Stainley Cricket Club since he was four, Aaron was known for being “tenacious and wily with a competitive edge” according to his teammates, while also having the ability to compete at a higher level – but not wanting to, due to sticking to his roots.
Throughout the service, subtle nods to his beloved Liverpool Football Club were made, including the playing of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the end of the funeral, as well as mentions of his “funny and mischievous side”.
Towards the end of the funeral at St Mary’s, Reverend Sian Lawton, who conducted the service, made a poignant reminder to those in attendance that “before each of you get in a car, check on each other,” before adding: “cars, even driven by adults can be dangerous.”
Aaron’s coffin was then carried out of the church, where his family travelled to Healey to bury him – and his loved ones formed a charity collection for St Mary’s Masham, St Paul’s Healey and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
- The Northern Echo attended the funeral with permission from Aaron's family
Read next:
- Families pay tribute to three teens who died in B6268 Masham Road horror crash
- Bedale High School mourns tragic loss of three teens killed in horror B6268 Masham Road crash
- What we know so far as three teens die in horror B6268 Masham Road crash in North Yorkshire
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