Parents appeal over Pateley Bridge hit-and-run one month on

BBC News

6 hours ago

The parents of a 19-year-old man killed in a hit-and-run last month have urged the driver responsible to "just admit it".Bailey Chadwick was walking home to Glasshouses in North Yorkshire after socialising with friends following his shift at a pub in Pateley Bridge.In the early hours of Sunday 20 July, he died when he was struck by a vehicle on the B6265, where floral tributes still remain. Two arrests have been made but nobody has been charged.His mother, Dayle Knights, said: "Some days it just hits you in a wave of emotion because he's not coming home, but the support from everybody has just made it manageable.
"You've just got to keep strong for your other kids, haven't you? There's nothing you can do," she added.Speaking to the BBC on the one-month anniversary of Bailey's death, Ms Knights said he had walked the route he took on the night of his death "thousands of times"."All he did was walk home and cross the road."Bailey's stepfather, Daniel Horler, said Bailey's friends had been at a memorial to him at the site of the crash "every day".Ms Knights added that she could often hear Bailey's friends singing football chants at his memorial while hanging the washing out."They're all so strong and we need the whole of the village to look out for them as well."
They urged the driver responsible for Bailey's death to speak to police."Just admit it. Just come forward and let us have closure," Ms Knights said.Mr Horler added: "They're bound to have told someone, right?""If anybody knows anything just say something. It's not going to make it better but it's going to help."They said Bailey would have been embarrassed at being the "centre of attention".More than 20,000 Sheffield Wednesday fans joined in with a minute's applause during the club's opening game of the season in tribute to Bailey."He would have had a heart attack at that," Mr Horler said, but Ms Knights added that "he wouldn't have liked to see me like this".
'Beacon of hope'
After news of Bailey's death spread through the community of villages, St Cuthbert's Church in Pateley Bridge opened its doors.People arrived "almost immediately" to light candles and leave messages for Bailey, according to vicar the Reverend Darryl Hall.He said the past month had been "heartbreaking" for locals."We know what happened, but we also know that justice hasn't been served."Someone out there is hiding behind silence and they need to take responsibility for what they've done."
He added that the tragedy would have a "big impact"."This will affect our community for many years to come." He said the church had partnered with a bereavement support service from nearby St Michael's Hospice, to provide counselling in the community."The church is a beacon of hope shining the light of Christ into situations that might otherwise seem hopeless," he said."It is learning to live with a new reality."
Two arrests
One month on from Bailey's death, the police investigation continues.A 24-year-old man questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving was later released on bail, with conditions stopping him from entering North Yorkshire.A woman in her 20s arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice was released under investigation.Detectives also traced and spoke to two drivers whose cars were seen on CCTV in the area on the night Bailey died. They said there was no indication the vehicles had been involved.
At the scene of his death, dozens of bunches of flowers remain in tribute to Bailey, who had been about to go travelling in Thailand when he was killed.Other items include candles, drinks cans, and notes.One note reads: "Bailey, what a pleasure."What a wonderful young man with a WICKED music taste. Rest easy."
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