Family and friends pay tribute to Newport Pagnell men killed on M1

Tom Aldridge, 20, and Nathan Reeves, 23, both from Newport Pagnell, tragically died when a coach collided with their car, which was stationary on the hard shoulder between junctions 12 and 13 of the M1.

Jake Dorling who was also in the car, suffered serious injuries in the collision including a fractured skull and a punctured lung.

Jake, Tom, and Nathan were being given a lift back to Buckinghamshire by Allan Evans, 59, following a night out in London when the fatal incident happened.

The driver of the coach, Alan Peters, 78, from Ambleside Valley Drive, Gravesend, has been convicted of three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

A statement from Lynn Reeves on behalf of the three families, said: “On the 14 February 2015, our lives were changed forever.

“The loss of Tom, Nathan and Alan, due to the actions of Mr Peters, has dealt a devastating blow to our families, a blow from which we will never fully recover.

“Throughout the trial we have really come together as a group to support each other and that has been invaluable in helping us to get through this awful process.

“Nothing can ever make up for the heartache caused by events on that day, but we hope that this incident will act as a reminder to all other drivers to pay attention to the road at all time.

“Tom, Nathan, and Allan’s deaths were entirely avoidable and no-one else should ever have to suffer in this way due to a lack of attention on the road. Jake Dorling, the sole survivor of the crash said: “I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the police and the prosecution team for their help in getting justice for this awful incident.

“I would also like to thank the emergency services that attended the incident in February last year, along with everyone else who has helped me and my family through my rehabilitation and the devastating period since Tom, Nathan, and Allan’s death.

“I have been left to live with the consequences of the injuries that I received in the crash, but that’s nothing compared to the devastation and loss that Tom, Nathan, and Allan’s families will have to cope with for the rest of their lives.

“Finally I’d like to thank all of the families involved for their support throughout the trial.”