The grieving parents of an Alexandria teenager killed in a quad bike crash on a Greek island have issued a heartfelt thanks to his friends - one of whom tried to save him in the aftermath of the freak accident.
Former Vale of Leven Academy pupil Ryan Bennet, 18, was enjoying his first boys’ holiday with nine other pals on the island of Zakynthos when tragedy struck on Friday morning.
Popular Ryan’s death has sent shockwaves across the community with people rallying to pay tribute and support the family.
Ryan’s mum Lorraine MacBain told the Lennox she, and Ryan’s dad Dougie Bennet, had been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love shown - with more than £32,000 now raised to bring Ryan’s body home from Greece.
Speaking to the Lennox from her Alexandria home, Lorraine said Ryan - who worked at Cameron House - was fun-loving and sociable.
She said: “I just want my son remembered.
“Ryan was your typical teenager who didn’t want to live by his mum’s rules.
“As a youngster he played for Renton Craigandro Football Club. He lived for his social life and loved his gaming. He loved the gym and his football.
“The boys were 18-years-old and on their first boys’ holiday. They were just having
fun.
“Myself and Dougie are grieving. But we want to say thank you to everyone, especially the other boys who were with him. As well as Ryan’s step-mum Iwona who has been incredible.
“She has dealt with the consulate and police at every stage.”
Lorraine added: “I need to thank the nine boys who were also there who came to see me.
“I also want to say a special thanks to the wee boy who was there and who tried to save my Ryan’s life but came to apologise because he couldn’t do it. He was inconsolable when he came to visit.
“I want them to know that it never crossed my mind to blame them. It was a freak accident. It could’ve been anyone.”
Ryan lost his life when the quad he was travelling on left the road in the early hours of the morning on July 7. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Ryan and an 18-year-old friend were wearing helmets and were travelling at a slow speed before the quad overturned.
Lorraine continued: “I always put my phone on silent, every single night. But that night, for whatever reason, I didn’t.
“I got the phone call at 1.15am from Ryan’s dad.
“Neither of us could speak to each other. We were in such shock.
“We went straight up to see his dad at 2am. It was so hard.”
Family and friends launched an online fundraiser in order to repatriate Ryan’s body to the UK, with a target of £10,000. But have now raised more than £32,000.
And Lorraine says that she and Dougie have been humbled by the donations.
She continued: “We have been really taken aback.
“We have incredible support from local businesses too. One has offered us premises, a free buffet and free funeral cars. The generosity of people has been incredible.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has helped out.”
Posting on social media, Ryan’s girlfriend Caitlin Ball paid tribute to her ‘best friend’.
She said: “Today I lost the most important boy in my life and there is simply no way I could ever even begin to describe how losing your best friend like this feels. Ryan, you are everything I ever wanted and so much more.
“I appreciate every single bit of love you have ever given me. I love you with my whole heart forever. I hope I make you as proud as you make me my love.”
An investigation by the Police Department of Zakynthos is ongoing with a postmortem due to take place.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Donations remain open via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michelle-bennet.
