Mother's tribute to boy killedin crash

THE grieving mother of a teenager killed in a road crash said he was a loveable lad “who would do anything for anyone.”

Christina Reed said 16-year-old Joshua Parkin, pictured, would be missed by everyone who knew him.

The teenager from Bluebell Grove, Brigg and Laura McGowan of Legard Avenue, Brigg, who was also 16, died in a head-on crash with a lorry in Scunthorpe on Saturday afternoon.

The pair were passengers in a Honda Civic, which collided with the DAF HGV, along with another 16-year-old girl who is in a critical but stable condition at hospital.

The lorry driver, aged 30, is being treated for serious injuries at Scunthorpe Hospital.

Mrs Reed said her son had wanted to be in the Army, but was held back by his asthma. But he was looking forward to starting a welding and engineering course at North Lindsey College.

She said: “He was a mummy’s boy at times but he was my rock and was definitely the man of the house.

“Josh was one of seven children, six boys and one girl and all his brothers and sister adored him. He was the fourth eldest and he looked out for all of them.”

She added: “Josh was one in a million and they broke the mould when they made him, is what I always used to say.

“Like most kids his age he loved Facebook and I have had to change the password on my laptop because he kept guessing what it was.

“He was my best friend and I will miss him walking out of the door in his favourite tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt that he always wore.”

A family friend described Josh as a “caring young lad who had a big heart”.

She said: “If Josh saw me he would come and say hello and make sure I was OK. He always saw the best in anyone and everyone no matter what they had done to him.”

An 18-year-old, who was driving the Honda, who was also hurt, was released on police bail after being arrested.