Father dies moments after taking part in ‘amazing’ tribute to schoolboy, 14, who passed away with motor neurone disease
A father has died moments after taking part in a tribute to a schoolboy who passed away with motor neurone disease (MND).
Chris Bailey was killed in a fatal crash while heading back home from the funeral of Kyle Sieniawski, who died aged just 14 last month having become the youngest person in Britain to be diagnosed with MND.
Mr Bailey had participated in an ‘amazing’ motorcycle convoy at the memorial service for the boy on Friday along with his friends at the Valley Commandos Motorcycle Club Powys.
But Mr Bailey, who was a father to a baby boy, crashed his Yamaha motorbike on the A438 in Wales between Glasbury and Clyro, not far from his home in Hay-on-Wye.
Dyfed-Powys Police said it believed the collision also involved a black Mini Countryman Cooper and a black Volkswagen Polo and that no one else was injured in the incident.
Young Kyle’s heartbroken family paid an emotional tribute to Mr Bailey on a Facebook page dedicated to the schoolboy’s MND battle.
They said: ‘We’re absolutely devastated to hear that one of the bikers tragically lost his life whilst travelling home from Kyle’s funeral.
‘Chris Bailey was a valued member of the Powys Chapter Valley Commandos and to lose his life after doing such an amazing gesture is just cruel beyond words.
Chris Bailey, pictured, died moments after taking part in a tribute to a schoolboy who died with motor neurone disease
He had participated in an ‘amazing’ motorcycle convoy at the memorial service for Kyle Sieniawski on Friday (pictured: Mr Bailey with his bike on a different occasion)
‘Our hearts are breaking for his family, and Christmas is just days away…. life can be so cruel.
‘We’re thinking of all his family, friends, and also his comrades at the Valley Commandos. Heaven has gained another angel way too soon.’
Paul Borrington, a friend of Mr Bailey’s at their motorcycle club, added: ‘To say I’m humbled with the response from others who he’s met during his short period in life and the MC world really shows how much people thought and respected him and for what he gave.
‘I have no words for how humbled I feel at being part of this great man’s life and helping and seeing him achieving his dreams.
‘Ride Free, Ride Hard Brother. Thank you for sharing some of your time here with me Brother.’
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision in Powys [Friday] evening. Officers responded to a report of a collision involving three vehicles on the A438 Glasbury to Clyro at 4.48pm.
‘The collision involved a black Yamaha motorbike, a black Mini Countryman Cooper and a black Volkswagen Polo. Sadly, the rider of the motorbike died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
‘Officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who was driving along this stretch of road at the time, or who might have dashcam footage of any of the vehicles involved.’
Kyle died aged just 14 last month having become the youngest person in Britain to be diagnosed with MND
Roads were gridlocked for Kyle’s funeral procession on Friday, which saw the group of bikers flank the ceremony as part of the schoolboy’s ‘last ride’.
Many present had never met the 14-year-old but headed to the memorial because they were so moved by his MND story.
The disease usually affects adults over 50 – but sufferers include the late rugby league player Rob Burrow who died at 41 and former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody at 47.
Sport-loving Kyle was taking part in Taekwondo but noticed his left arm would not move properly in March 2023.
After a series of scans and tests his parents Melanie and Mark were given the shocking diagnosis in January that he suffers from the degenerative condition MND.
Kyle’s family were told the youngster, from Pontypridd, South Wales, was the youngest person in the UK to receive a diagnosis.
His family announced their ‘little superhero’ tragically died just ten months after his diagnosis surrounded by ‘those who adored him’.
The family said: ‘We’ll miss you so very much buddy and we love you more than words can ever say.
His family announced their ‘little superhero’ tragically died just ten months after his diagnosis surrounded by ‘those who adored him’
‘We can already picture you up there challenging your two nans and grandad to a game of Connect 4 and making them smile, just as you made us smile a million times before.
‘We’ll think of you every single day, beautiful boy.’
Kyle’s family said he ‘fought with all his strength but the illness ultimately became too much’.
Parents Mark and Melanie added: ‘There’s no way for us to describe how we’re feeling…. we’re just completely heartbroken.’
Kyle had been attending Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff where he spent time playing Connect 4 with his brother Liam, 18.
After an appeal raised more than £10,000, a family spokeswoman said: ‘The support has been outstanding. The comments in particular are really helping the family as Melanie and Mark are reading them and it’s comforting them.
‘Kyle’s parents – Melanie and Mark – want to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity, as well as the staff at Noah’s Ark, where Kyle has been staying.’
