The Press in York has launched a campaign to warn against the dangers of joyriding after one of the paper’s delivery van drivers was killed in a head-on collision in the city.
Peter Alexander, 51, died after colliding with an Audi car that had been stolen by two 15-year-old boys, who also died in the crash.
The paper has worked with local production company Flash Flame to create a short film featuring interviews by chief reporter Mike Laycock with people affected by the deaths and a reconstruction of the tragic event.
The film was shown at the school the two boys attended, and was met with “stunned silence”, according to Press editor Kevin Booth. It will be shown at York’s City Screen Cinema next Monday.
York fire chief Graham Buckle has said the film will be shown at every secondary school as part of the service’s regular roadshows.
Booth said: “It’s a hard-hitting film with a very strong message. I’d like to pay a special tribute to the families of those killed in the original accident who, despite their obvious pain, co-operated fully in the making of the film, hopefully for the benefit of others.
“It was a humbling experience to sit round the table with them and listen to how a moment’s recklessness has had such a devastating impact on so many lives.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog