Shropshire Star

The mother of the man killed after being hit by a police van in Shropshire said her family’s world had been torn apart.

Susanna Furber described her 26-year-old son Kenny as a “good and caring man” always willing to help others.

Kenny Thiel-Furber died on Saturday after being struck by the West Mercia Police vehicle van on the A41 Whitchurch bypass.

His mother, who has four other children, said: “All my children mean the world to me, but our world has now broken down. I can’t believe Kenny’s gone.”

Speaking from the family home in Wayland Road, Whitchurch, Mrs Furber said she feared the worst when a police officer knocked at her door on Saturday at about 3.30am.

“I instinctively knew because my children never brought the police home,” she said. “He was always a good lad.

“Our family has always been close. I only had to say what I wanted and Kenny would do it. He was always a willing lad and always had a hug and kiss for me.

“He was my second eldest. A massive hole has been left in our lives.”

Mrs Furber said Kenny and her two older children Darren and Natascha, had been born in Germany. She returned to her home town of Whitchurch with her children in December 1995.

Kenny attended the town’s Sir John Talbot School and, after leaving, worked for local firms including Laundrycraft, Tushingham Stable Hire and Grampian Pork.

He recently started a job with Oswestry-based Fastrack Maintenance, working as a gardener at parks and schools in Whitchurch.

Mrs Furber said: “He was very happy in his new job, he loved it.

“Kenny loved working outdoors and really enjoyed his job. He was outside and in the open air and could get on with it, no-one mithering him, doing his best and taking a pride in his work.

“He was a very hard-working lad. He always found a job and was never on the dole.”

Mrs Furber, who has two other children, Yvonne, 16, and 13-year-old Vivian, said she and her family had been touched by the many messages of support.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their cards, flowers, calls and tributes - they mean a lot to us,” she said.

Kenny’s brother Darren said the pair, both Goths, were extremely close and he was devastated by his death.

“He was a perfect gentle man, a really caring man who enjoyed movies and music.”

Mrs Furber said a date for Kenny’s funeral date had not yet been set.

By Deborah Collins