'The pain will never go away' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'The pain will never go away'

Ann Styles whose son Matthew, died in a car crash one year ago Ref: 77758-23GRIEVING mum Anne Styles says the pain of losing her only child will never go away. Today marks the first anniversary of the car crash in Pinehurst Road which killed 19-year-old Matthew Styles.

For his mum, Anne, of Whiteman Street, Gorse Hill, it will be a time for quiet remembrance as well as a visit to his grave and the accident scene.

She says it will also be a day when she repeatedly asks herself why he had to die so young.

"I just can't believe a year has gone by," she said. "I take each day as it comes. My life will never be the same again because I know whatever I do won't change the situation.

"But sometimes I'm in denial. I think Matthew is just away somewhere and that he will be coming home.

"When I used to read about people being killed in accidents I used to think it was tragic but that it would never happen to me.

"I've had a few knocks but I never thought Matthew would be taken away from me but he was."

The 51-year-old's memories of the accident are still as vivid.

"It was the worst night of my life," she said. "I'm just worried I'm going to re-live every hour from when the accident happened."

Earlier this year, Gary Huckin, the driver of the car Matthew was travelling in, was given a five-year jail sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard how the 36-year-old, of Naunton Road, Walcot, was doing at least 45mph driving a Ford Mondeo when he hit a tree, instantly killing Matthew and seriously injuring another passenger, Michael McCann.

Huckin, who fled the scene of the accident without checking his passengers and didn't surrender for 36 hours, had originally denied the charge but later pleaded guilty.

The case brought new pain for Mrs Styles as she heard in detail the massive injuries from which her son died.

And she says there will never be a time when she can forgive Huckin for what he did.

Mrs Styles fears her turmoil will continue as she has heard that he is planning to appeal against his sentence.

"If he ever gets his sentence reduced then I'll end up doing time," she said. "At the end of the day he ran from the scene that says it all.

"As well as taking Matthew's life, Gary has destroyed my life as well. I'm on my own now. I get up, go to work, come home and then go to bed. Matthew was my life but now he's gone."

To help lift Anne's spirits, her son's friends have stayed in touch and sent her flowers on Mother's Day. He was so close to them and it does help that they are still around," she said.

Last year, Mrs Styles, and Swindon Council, were disgusted with people's apathy after only a handful of consultation forms about ways to improve safety in the Pinehurst area, were returned.

A report will now be reviewed by the local authority which recommends that tables and road cushions are built to enforce a 20mph speed limit.

If approved, work should start in November.

Ben Payne