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The family of a County Down man who died in a motorcycle collision 10 years ago have made an impassioned road safety plea, saying they would do anything to have him back. Jay Reardon was 21 years old when he died on 31 July 2016 while riding his bike on Belfast Road in Newtownards, with no other vehicle involved.
Speaking on the 10th anniversary of Jay's death, his sister Laura said his loss had left a lasting void in the family's life. "Life hasn't been the same since Jay passed, like there is now a void that will never be filled," she said. She recalled the milestones he had missed. "We can't share the news of buying our first homes, getting that dream job, attending graduations with him and celebrating all of our wins together. It brings me great sadness Jay won't be able to experience some of the most important things in life we all go through. Like falling in love, getting married, having children and travelling the world."
Jay had been a lecturer in Engineering at South Eastern Regional College in Bangor, having landed the job at the age of 20. He was a keen footballer, playing for local teams, and a lifelong Arsenal fan. He was also, in his sister's words, mad about bikes, buying a moped as soon as he was legally allowed to drive it. Laura said her brother had valued the freedom that came with riding. "I think what Jay enjoyed most about being on the bike was the freedom of it, and the community within bikers. There is a mutual understanding regarding the risks involved, and a huge amount of respect for the roads and each other."
Jay's sister Anna, who was 11 when he died, said she still thinks of him often. "There are times where I think 'I'd love Jay to see this', or 'I wish Jay was here with me'. I just hope he's looking over us all, and can see how far we've come." She described the sense of unreality that has stayed with the family. "It feels like a lifetime since we've had Jay in our lives but, at the same time, it feels like yesterday that we got the worst news ever, that Jay has passed away in a motorbike accident."
Jay's youngest sister, Susi, who will soon turn 21, the same age Jay was when he died, said his death had made her reflect on how much he missed out on. "As I approach my 21st birthday, it breaks my heart to realise that this is all Jay ever got to experience in life. He should have had so much more to see, so much more to do, and so many more memories to make." She added that she hoped sharing his story might help others. "If sharing Jay's story encourages even one person to be more aware, to take extra care, or to make one safer decision before setting off on a journey, then his legacy will continue to make a difference."
Laura urged drivers and motorcyclists alike to be mindful of one another on the road. "For drivers, we would ask that you take an extra second to look for motorcyclists. Bikes can be easy to miss, but the consequences of not seeing one can be devastating. A moment's impatience or distraction can change a family's life forever." She had a message for bikers too. "For bikers, we'd encourage you to enjoy the freedom that comes with riding but never become complacent. Wear the right protective gear, ride within your limits, and always expect the unexpected." She added that everyone deserved to reach their destination safely. "Every rider is someone's loved one, and every person deserves to get home safely."
Anna said the consequences of a single moment on the road could last a lifetime. "You don't want your family to receive the same heart-breaking news that ours did. Your actions on the road don't just affect you, they also affect the others. Equally, you don't want to be responsible for someone else's family receiving the worst news."
Susi said road users should never assume tragedy could not happen to them. "No matter how careful you are, there is always the possibility of the unexpected. None of us ever think we will become part of the statistics, until tragedy changes everything." She encouraged motorcyclists to remain cautious even in good weather. "As the weather improves, more people will be out enjoying their bikes and the open roads. Please don't let the sunshine change the way you protect yourself. Always dress for the slide, not the ride. The right protective clothing could make all the difference." She said not every serious collision involved excessive speed, drugs or alcohol. "Sometimes devastating accidents happen in a split second, without warning. It could happen to anyone."
Check out a video about Jay at youtube.com/
