The family of two teenagers who sadly died in a tragic road traffic collision have spoken out about their death. The family of Jake Hankins have described him as a "kind, gentle and considerate young man" following an inquest into his death - while Harvey Holehouse's family have remembered him as a "good person with so much potential".
Jake, 17, was one of the teenagers alongside Harvey Holehouse, 19, that died on Southwell Road on Thursday, September 22, 2022 after a collision involving two vehicles. It was heard in court that the car, driven by Harvey, contained Jake and two other friends and was travelling at speeds of over 120mph leading up to the crash on Southwell Road near Gonalston.
Speaking of the incident, Jake's family said: "On the night that Jake was taken away from us, he was just out having fun with some friends. They had been planning for a charity event that was supposed to take place at the weekend.
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"Jake was a passionate young farmer with his whole life ahead of him, and would have spent his weekend driving families around on a tractor, if he had not been taken from us. Jake got into the car of Harvey that night, someone he didn’t know, a friend of a friend, simply accepting the offer of a lift back to his nearby college accommodation.
"He had no idea that a short time later, he would lose his life when the driver of the car lost control at speeds of 120 miles per hour. Speeds that were, as the coroner concluded, grossly excessive wholly inappropriate for that or any road, in particular in the weather conditions. "
The family continued: "Jake was a kind, gentle and considerate young man, just starting to plan out the rest of his life, a life that he will no longer get to lead. We will never describe the love we held for Jake in a few lines, or the loss we feel for our son.
"Jake was a wonderful son, brother, nephew and grandson and he will be missed very dearly by so many. We hope that people will take caution away from the tragic way in which Jake lost his life.
"We hope that insurance companies insuring young drivers will take further measures to ensure the safety of young drivers and their unsuspecting passengers whose lives are put in danger by high-speed driving."
Harvey's family stated: "To everyone affected by the accident on the 22nd September 2033 and especially to Jake’s family we are truly sorry. We hope the memory of Harvey will not be defined by the events of that night and we hope that Harvey can be remembered for being the life and soul of wherever he went and for the love and kindness that he showed to all that he met.
"You always knew when Harvey was in the room. We will remember Harvey for laughing, dancing, singing and joking his way around our home and are incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our family.
"Harvey was a good person with so much potential. We love him and miss him dearly." Speaking on behalf of Jake's family, a representative told the court: "Jake was a kind, gentle and considerate young man, just starting to plan plan out the rest of his life.
"He loved farming with an absolute passion and gained a great many friends through his interests in the farming community. Jake was a son, a little brother, a nephew and a grandson and loved by many people who will miss him dearly."
Case investigator Louise Melbourne, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Jake was taken from his family, friends, and everyone who knew him far too soon and our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with his family.
“This inquest will not bring Jake back, but I hope it gives his family some closure.
“Many people were effected by this incident and our thoughts are also with those still in recovery from their injuries and with all those impacted by what happened”.
