Teen who died in car crash was lifeboat rescuer in training

Monday 04 March 2019

Tributes are being paid to a "cheeky, funny and likeable" 18-year-old who was set to become the Jersey Lifeboat Association’s youngest crew member after he died in a car crash in St. Peter’s Valley.

He was driving a red Suzuki Jimny north through the Valley when a collision with a blue Ford Focus occurred close to the junction with Mont Fallu.

The people in the second car weren't hurt. St. Peter's Valley was closed for the rest of the evening while Forensic Collision Investigators and Crime Scene Investigators assessed the scene, assisted by the Honorary Police.

Police launched an appeal for more information about the fatal crash on Saturday.

Pictured: St. Peter's Valley, where the crash occurred.

Yesterday, they named the casualty as Aaron Banks, who lived on Longueville Road in St. Saviour, adding that specialist officers were supporting his family.

Since then, tributes have poured in from family, friends, former teachers and other islanders who knew the “lovely” teen, who was said to be an active member of the local boating community.

David Le Mottee wrote on Facebook: “Awful news. He was always so polite and smiling. A big loss to the marine trade, taken far too soon.”

The newly-created Jersey Lifeboat Association revealed that the 18-year-old had been training with them and was due to become their youngest recruit.

“We are all devastated at loss of Aaron who was tragically killed yesterday. At 18, he had his whole life ahead of him and was looking forward to being our youngest crew member. He will be missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family,” the group said.

JLA member Andy Hibbs described Aaron as “a fantastic lad”, adding: “We will all miss his cheeky smile.”

Other islanders described a “lovely young man” who “always worked hard” and was “polite and thoughtful”.

Sadie McKenna Nafka said he was a “cheeky, funny and likeable lad”.

Terrible news. My thoughts are especially with Aaron’s family and friends, but also with those colleagues across all services who will also be affected by such a tragic incident @JerseyPolice @JsyAmbulance @JsyFire. https://t.co/kwtuxnLwq5

— A/Dep Chief James Wileman SOJP ???????? (@SOJP_DCO) March 3, 2019

“Remember him and his friends messing at lunch breaks and when I told them off Aaron would say, “Yeah! But you like me the best, don’t you Miss?” My condolences to all of Aaron’s family. RIP Aaron xx,” she wrote.

The young man was also described as having an interest in motoring, with John Vibert writing in local Facebook forum ‘Suzuki 4x4 owners C.I.’: “Such a sad loss to the Suzuki group, thoughts go out to all his friends and family.”

Cliff De Sousa expressed “condolences to his family from the staff at Express Autopart.”

Child Accident Prevention Jersey sent their thoughts to Aaron’s family, as did school outreach service ‘Prison Me No Way Jersey’, who wrote: “Tragic news – thoughts and prayers to family, friends and those from the emergency services who attended.”

Acting Deputy Police Chief James Wileman commented: “Terrible news. My thoughts are especially with Aaron’s family and friends, but also with those colleagues across all services who will also be affected by such a tragic incident.”