Schoolboy killed in Telford bus crash named as Christian Chandler, 13, as funeral appeal is launched
A 13-year-old boy killed in a collision with a bus in Telford was today named as Christian Chandler, as a crowdfunding appeal was launched to help pay for his funeral.
The accident happened on Haybridge Road, Hadley, just after 8am on Monday as Christian cycled to school.
The Ercall Wood Technology College pupil was flown by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where he died.
In a heartbreaking message on the Just Giving social crowdfunding site, where more than £5,600 has already been pledged, his uncle Samuel Brooks, from Telford, wrote: "My 13-year-old nephew, Christian, was run over by a bus on his way to school.
"His twin brother, Luke, watched this happen. He held Christian's hand and tried to stop the bleeding whilst he was trapped under the bus. He raced home to fetch his Mom."
The uncle said that Christian suffered multiple injuries and had a blood transfusion at the side of the road whilst waiting for the air ambulance.
"He was still conscious at this time and held his Mom's hand. He was flown to Birmingham Children's Hospital but died of his injuries in the helicopter, " he said.
"He has left behind his twin, an older and younger brother and his sister."
Mr Brooks said that he was making a crowdfunding appeal to raise money for his nephew's funeral.
"We don't have much money between us, I'm asking for help so we can arrange a funeral that he deserves. Please donate anything that you can, we are eternally grateful for the help."
He later added: "I would like to thank everyone for their continued support. The amount raised in less than 24 hours is astounding. There are 13 days left on the page. I will be increasing the target until then.
"All of the money donated will go towards a brilliant funeral for Christian. I will also donate some of the money to the Air Ambulance charity. They are not government funded and rely on the donations of citizens to be able to operate. Allthough Christian's life couldn't be saved, they still extended his life as long as they could. They help so many people."
Anyone who wants to help can do so at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/samuel-brooks-3
The bus was travelling from Wellington towards the direction of Trench Lock when the collision happened. The Midland Air Ambulance that attended the incident landed on the playing field at Hadley Learning Community (HLC) in nearby Waterloo Road
Witnesses to the collision should call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident 99s of October 16.
