10/03/2026
Some stories are incredibly difficult to read, and even harder to rewrite.
This is one of them. 💔
Tom was the kind of son any parent would be proud of. His mum describes him as caring, funny and full of life. He had a personality that could light up a room and was loved deeply by his friends, family and community.
Cars had always been a big part of Tom’s life. Both sides of his family had a long history in the motor trade, so from a young age he grew up surrounded by engines, tools and vehicles of every kind. His passion for cars was natural and genuine.
As he grew older, that interest only deepened. In his teenage years he had opportunities to drive on private land with his mum beside him, something he absolutely loved. Being behind the wheel felt like where he belonged.
After leaving school he began working as an apprentice mechanic. He thrived in the job and showed real dedication to his trade.
Life dealt Tom a devastating blow in 2021 when his father passed away suddenly. Tom was only seventeen at the time. In the years that followed he threw himself into his work, using it as a way to cope with the grief and to keep moving forward.
Just days before the collision that would take his life, Tom had something wonderful to celebrate. On the Friday he came home excited and proud after learning he had passed all of his exams and was now a fully qualified mechanic. He walked through the door smiling, full of energy, sharing his news and the gifts he had received at work.
His future was opening up.
Then came Monday night.
Tom came home from work as usual. He had dinner with his mum and they chatted like they always did. Later he showered, changed, and headed out to meet friends. He left the house laughing and joking.
As his mum locked the door behind him she called out the words many parents say instinctively.
“Drive carefully.”
Tom replied in the same playful way he always did, joking back in a silly voice, something they had said to each other many times before.
Neither of them could have known those would be the last words they shared.
That night his mum struggled to sleep. She remembers looking at her phone and seeing the time. 1:10 am.
A short time later there was a knock at the door.
The words that followed shattered her world forever.
“Mrs Buck, we are sorry to tell you that Tom has died in a road collision.”
No parent is ever prepared for that moment. The pain that follows is beyond description. Tom was the centre of his family’s life and deeply loved by those around him.
His loss left a hole that can never be filled.
Recently Tom’s mum received the inquest disclosure report which finally explained what had happened that night.
Tom made a decision behind the wheel that cost him his life.
He attempted to overtake two vehicles in order to catch up with a friend who was ahead. The manoeuvre took place on a section of road marked with double white lines which clearly prohibits overtaking.
The car was travelling at just over 90 mph.
Tom was not wearing a seatbelt.
During the manoeuvre he lost control of the vehicle. The car left the road, flipped, and came to rest against a tree stump in a ditch on the opposite side.
Emergency services arrived quickly, but the damage was catastrophic. Fire crews had to cut him free from the vehicle.
Tom sadly lost his life at the scene.😰
His girlfriend Eve a talented artist was wearing a seatbelt whilst in the passenger seat with Tom, she survived , she suffered three fractured vertebrae in her neck, broken back , broken ribs, broken hip, punctured lung, bleeding in her brain , serious head injuries and is having on going surgery on her right hand due to nerve injury.
She lives with injuries that will affect her for the rest of her life.
The reality is that without her seat belt, she may not have survived.
Jo made an incredibly difficult decision to visit Tom in the chapel of rest.
Even after being advised not to.
She leaned into to give him his final farewell kiss and placed her hand on his chest , sadly his chest had gone and she felt the support beneath his jumper. That chest he had worked at so hard in the gym and healthy eating had been smashed with the steering column.
She just needed to tell him she loved him one last time.
Nothing can prepare a parent for a moment like that.
Tom’s story is not being shared to judge him. He was a young man with a bright future who made one tragic mistake.
One decision.
One moment.
One loss of control.
The consequences changed many lives forever.
This story carries important lessons that every driver should think about carefully.
Seatbelts are not optional. They are the single most effective safety device in a vehicle.
Speed does not impress physics. At higher speeds the margin for error disappears almost instantly.
Road markings exist for a reason.
Double white lines are there because that stretch of road is dangerous for overtaking. No matter how invincible you think you are stick to the rules.
Showing off behind the wheel is never worth the risk.
A car is not just freedom. It is responsibility.
Every decision a driver makes can affect not only their own life but the lives of passengers, families and communities.
Tom’s mum shared this story in the hope that it might make someone pause before making a dangerous decision.
If even one person reads this and chooses to slow down, wear their seatbelt or abandon a risky overtake, then Tom’s story may help prevent another family experiencing the same heartbreak.
Sometimes the most powerful road safety lessons are written in loss.
If you are a driving instructor reading this, please consider sharing Tom’s story with your pupils and on your pages.
Real stories often teach lessons that statistics alone cannot.
Everyone is welcome to share Tom’s story to raise awareness .
Please be mindful and respectful in the comments 💔
Sheena Ahmed
Motorvation school of Motoring
