Children pay tribute to teacher who died in honeymoon biking tragedy

Emma Gray, 25, and her husband Jonathan, also 25, both suffered fatal injuries when they were thrown from a quad bike while returning to their room at the idyllic Kuredu Island resort in the Indian Ocean. Their baby son, Jake, was staying with family at home in Halifax when the tragedy occurred.

Yesterday, Jake was among the family and friends of both Mr and Mrs Gray who gathered at Holy Trinity Primary School along with pupils for an event to remember the “golden” couple.

Mrs Gray’s father, Rodney Oldfield, had dug up an apple tree from the couple’s garden for the occasion, and yesterday was helped by two pupils to plant it in the school grounds. The tree will be surrounded by lavender in a memorial garden, while 3,000 daffodils will be planted nearby.

Mr Oldfield said: “I just want to thank all the children and their parents, everybody who has come today. It’s a really nice move.”

Mrs Gray, who was described as an “outstanding” teacher, had recently returned to Holy Trinity Primary School after maternity leave and, before her death, had planned a special day of activities. That day went ahead yesterday, but the tragedy meant that it was also part of the memorial service.

In his address, the Bishop of Pontefract, Tony Robinson, said: “The sun is shining today, and Miss Oldfield also shone sunshine on everyone around her, and made people happy.

“This tree will be a great reminder of how much Miss Oldfield meant to this school and to everybody who knew her.”

The event had a purple theme, Mrs Gray’s favourite colour. Children dressed in purple clothes, many took pink and purple flowers, and a swathe of purple balloons were released.

One child described her as a “loving, caring, fabulous teacher” and another as “the best teacher I ever had.”

Headteacher of Holy Trinity Primary School Roger Bateman said: “She was always very lively and bubbly, and did very exciting things. Nearly every child in the school brought a flower.”