'His bike was his freedom': Family tribute to tragic teen Lewis Crouch

Touching tributes are being left on Peafield Lane after Lewis Crouch, 16, died in moped crash

The keen motorcyclist from Mansfield Woodhouse, 16, was killed in a crash on Friday, February 3 on Peafield Lane, and the community has rallied with support pouring in to his family.

Lewis went to Garibaldi school and Manor Academy before leaving to train as a mechanic with West Notts College, and is remembered for his love of engines and sense of humour.

His mum Cheryl Broughton, 45, said: "He wasn’t a typical teenager - he wasn’t grumpy or stroppy, he was just so friendly and full of life.

Police are investigating the circumstance of the crash on Peafield Lane, outside Mansfield Woodhouse.

“It’s been the hardest few days of our lives. I lost my dad only eighteen months ago and he was Lewis’s whole world. My dad was massively into cars as well, and I like to think they’re both together somewhere, racing around.”

UPDATE: Teenager killed in Mansfield crash

The keen motorcyclist was a huge lover of engines and worshipped his first moped. His family say they imagine him racing with h is granddad who also passed away recently. (Source: YouTube)

Step-dad Garry Broughton, 47, said: “We’re getting through the best we can. It’s like we’re sinking and we don’t know if we’re at the bottom or not.

“It’s hard to know what’s next or what we’re suppose to do.”

Police continue to clarify the events that led up to the crash and it could be weeks before there’s any closure for the family.

“We’ll get no answers until they do their investigation,” said Garry.

Lewis Crouch, 16, was in a fatal bike crash on Friday, February 3.

“As parents we couldn’t have asked for a better son. Everything he did made you laugh sometimes though stupidity and daftness, and he loved to entertain people. He was that sort of character.”

The show of support from people on social media has been ‘overwhelming’ he added

“It’s been so helpful with all the messages and stories from his young friends. People have told us just how supportive he was to them, and that’s another side of him we never knew.”

In addition to bikes and cars, Lewis was a keen YouTube vlogger and made a lot of videos with his Go-Pro while riding, and funny commentaries while playing computer games. He also posted a video responding to the new craze of ‘roasting’ people in a rap battle, by roasting himself.

There are many flowers and touching tributes to Lewis on Peafield Lane, and friends have honoured him personal mementos.

His family would love him to be remembered for his videos on the YouTube channel here|Blaze Graphics|click here} and are holding a remembrance event for friends at the Black Bull pub, Mansfield Woodhouse on Wednesday, February 8.

Hundreds of motorcyclists to give Lewis a bikers’ send-off

A bikers funeral is being organised to honour Lewis ‘to give him a good send off’ once his funeral arrangements are made.

Caterina Sage, 45, of Notts Free Riders is organising the parade and says some 4-500 bikers from the area are signed up to take part.

The mum-of-four who lives in Kirkby said: “I’ve been in touch with bikers from across Nottinghamshire and there’s quite a few who want to send Lewis off properly.

“My boys Charlie and Joel were friends with him and they had their own little moped gang, and they’ll be joining too.

“We’re all so devastated, I had to wake them both up to tell them the news, it’s just awful.”

Nottinghamshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash, which took place at around 10pm on Friday. Call 101 quoting incident number 930 of 3 February 3 with any information that may aid the case.

Teachers pays tribute to popular student

Lewis had been studying the Level 1 Diploma in Automotive Maintenance and Repair at West Notts College’s Engineering Innovation Centre in Sutton since September.

His motor-vehicle tutor Mark Robb said: “I was so upset when I heard the news. Lewis had been at college on the day it happened so it just seems so surreal to think that he’s gone.

“Lewis had a real lust for life and lots of friends. He loved going on his computer and was often out on his moped – that was his first love.

“He was a very laid-back character and a polite and respectful student. Lewis was progressing on his course and I fully expected him to achieve the level one motor-vehicle diploma.

“It’s such a tragic loss of life and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

“Support and counselling is in place to help Lewis’s classmates come to terms with what has happened and deal with their understandable grief.”