Tributes have been paid to a young man with the ‘kindest heart’ after the driver who caused his death was jailed.
Harry Coopland, 18, died after a horror crash at Langdale End on the North York Moors.
It happened on 13 August 2021. Harry’s friend Jack Tomlinson of Farside Road, West Ayton, was jailed yesterday for causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink and drugs.
A 16-year-old girl passenger also lost her hand in the collision, a second 18-year-old male passenger sustained three fractures to his spine and a 15-year-old girl passenger suffered a laceration to her face.
In a statement read at court, Harry’s family said: “Harry was a shining beacon of life, with a tremendous sense of humour.
“He was a loving member of our family with the kindest heart and to be with him was an absolute joy.
“He had embarked on a career that he loved and was thought of very highly, he had his whole life and a bright future in front of him before it was so suddenly taken from him.
“We mourn for Harry and the life that he could have and should have had, the wonderful future that lay in front of him and we mourn for our family, for the gaping abyss that is now part of our life and forever with us.
“Harry, we love and miss you so much.”
Dangers of drink driving
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Harry had his whole life ahead of him but it has been needlessly taken from him, and his family’s life has changed forever.
“It is a stark reminder of the dangers and catastrophic consequences of drinking, taking drugs and getting behind the wheel.
“Everyone, young drivers in particular, must take responsibility for the privilege of driving on our roads or face the law at best, or a tragedy at worst.
“Our thoughts remain with Harry’s family and friends and we hope the sentence helps provide some closure, although we know it can never compensate for the loss of Harry and the life he would have lived.”
