Heartbroken parents miss dying son’s final moments when wrong family are called to his bedside in ID mix-up after horror smash
Devastated dad of George Crawford told how he wasn't able to hold his son's hand as he slipped away after the tragic mistake
HEARTBROKEN parents missed their son's final moments when an ID mix-up meant the wrong family were called to his bedside following a horror crash.
Grief-stricken dad Cameron Crawford, 51, was left devastated when the mistake meant he couldn't be with son George , 20, when he died in hospital.
Cameron, of Melrose, Roxburghshire, said: “If we had been contacted earlier we would have made it there to hold his hand for the last while.
“That’s our biggest regret — we brought George into this world but we weren’t there to see him out.”
The fatal accident came just ten days after the youngster had started an agriculture course at Harper Adams University, Shropshire.
It’s thought he put the wallet of pal Olly Smith in his pocket by mistake during a night out in nearby Newport.
But after George was struck in the the early hours of Sunday morning, cops who arrived at the scene found his mate’s ID on him — and contacted Olly’s relatives.
They rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital to find the patient in intensive care was not their boy.
At the time George’s dad and mum Mary were in the north of England visiting his sister Lucinda, 17, in York — and could have made it to be with him before he died.
Cameron said: “That’s the whole tragedy of this situation. We were less than two hours away.
“George’s friends believe he and Olly put their black wallets on the counter in a takeaway shop then picked up the wrong ones. He had George’s wallet and George had his.
“I can’t imagine what it was like for the other lad’s parents to turn up at hospital and see the person lying there was not their son.
“I can imagine what they felt up to that point. The elation they must have felt when they saw it wasn’t their son must have been amazing for them — but tragic for us.”
George’s parents were back home in Melrose when police arrived to break the news.
His dad went on: “I went into shock. But I don’t blame anybody. He had a lovely night and the only cock-up was the identity one.
“It was understandable. If you go into someone’s pocket, pull out a wallet, why would an officer think, ‘Oh no, this might not be him’?
“The irony is that, like most boys, George wasn’t very good at laundry, so we paid for it to be done. And we put name tabs on his clothes.
“So if they’d looked at his T-shirt, it would have had his name on it.
“It’s all ifs, buts and maybes but we have to live with this.”
Cameron paid an emotional tribute to his son.
He said: “George lived 20 full years. Most people wouldn’t achieve half of what he got through. He was a credit to his family, his school, former college and his new college.
“George couldn’t stand to see people be bullied or not be included.
“He had a twinkle in his eye and the girls liked him. George was a multitalented sportsman — a pony race champion, and he was in the racing jockey club as a junior.
“He beat all of those boys that are now professional jockeys. And he rode for Scotland at eventing.”
The proud dad also told how Goerge backed his sister, who is the national under-18s eventing champ.
He said: “He supported Lucinda to the hilt. He also supported me and was the apple of his mother’s eye.
“George would brighten up the dullest of rooms. To end it this way is just devastating. But we want to keep his memory alive.”
Cameron revealed the family plan to raise money in George’s honour for charities he’d have supported.
And they’re hoping to arrange fundraising events with Scots rugby legend Doddie Weir, 48, who is a friend and neighbour.
Dad's bid to know last hours of lad's life
DISTRAUGHT Cameron Crawford has appealed to anyone who could shed light on his son George’s last movements.
The farmer, 51, of Melrose, Roxburghshire, said he and his wife Mary are desperate to know where the young fresher had been before the horror road smash around 4.10am on Sunday.
He said: “Please help Mary and I understand his last few hours. To know how our son led his last hours is all we want to know. Please help us.”
Two ambulances, a trauma doctor and paramedics raced to the scene of the accident at a junction in Newport, Gwent.
But despite their efforts, George died later in hospital in Stoke.
A spokesman for Warwickshire and West Mercia police said: “Enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision. Anyone with information, or who was in the area, is asked to come forward.”
Cameron revealed he was overwhelmed when he visited his lad’s uni campus and saw all the notes and tributes by classmates.
He explained: “When I went into his room at Harper Adams, I was feeling the lowest I’ve ever felt.
“Then I saw all the messages of support and love from his friends.
“I think George’s spirit was in that room and came into me. I went back up the road with a spring in my step and hope in my heart when I had no hope.”
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Cameron told how when George was born, his mum was rushed to hospital as she’s a haemophiliac.
He added: “George came in with blue flashing lights — and he went out with blue flashing lights.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Our staff found a man who had suffered very serious injuries.
“He was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital but sadly passed away there. The driver of the car at the scene was unhurt.”