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FARNBOROUGH & DARTFORD: Family's tribute to lorry crash victim Andrew Wylie

3:10pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in


A TEENAGER who died in a road accident has been remembered as a “beautiful, intelligent young man” by his family.

Andrew Wylie, of Palmerston Road, Farnborough, was driving an Audi when it collided with an articulated lorry which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash which happened in Green Street Green Road, Dartford, at around 2.40pm on Tuesday (March 9).

North Kent police would not confirm reports Mr Wylie was driving a stolen car.

At the time of his death Mr Wylie was wanted by Bromley police.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on February 19 charged with three counts of burglary but absconded from the court.

Mr Wylie’s older sister Lisa, 20, said: “I can’t believe he’s gone.

“He had a close bond with his brother Chris who is heartbroken to lose his good friend.”

She added: “Andy was especially gifted in a sport called parkour.

“He loved it so much that everybody who knew him called him PK Andy.

“I will always think of my brother as a beautiful, intelligent young man who always amazed me with his talents.

“I will miss his magic tricks, his flips and him bouncing around on stilts.

“He had a cheeky smile and was loved by everyone who knew him.”

His father John said: “Andrew had a great sense of humour and always used to get into fits of giggles.

“He had an infectious laugh and was a real joker, even as a kid.

“He was popular and well-known around the Bromley-Orpington area and was very talented, turning his hand to anything.

“I am going to miss my little boy deeply.”

Mr Wylie’s younger brother Chris, 16, said: “I’m going to miss him so much.

“He may be gone but he’ll never be forgotten.”

The driver of the lorry did not need any medical treatment after the accident.

Anyone with any information about the collision should call police on 01622 798538.

Did you know Andrew Wylie? Leave your comments below or call the newsroom on 01689 885725 or 01689 885711.

Comments(34)

r.i.p Andy xx says...
11:29am Thu 11 Mar 10

We Love you andy, your with the angels now...xx

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miriame1987 says...
12:49pm Thu 11 Mar 10

i was so shocked when i hurd about this andy was such a nice guy you always knew when he was in the room and everyone who knew him will be missing him so much!! RIP ANDY the people that have said justice has been done then they are totaly wrong and should take back everything they have said!

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It's Me again ! says...
1:46pm Thu 11 Mar 10

What a sad end to such a young life.
Didn't know you but RIP young man, my thoughts are with your family and friends x

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PEACHYVICK says...
2:38pm Thu 11 Mar 10

Such a tragedy. After losing my best friend aged only 22 in December last year I know how much it hurts to lose somebody so young. My thoughts are with family and friends.x

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CGJeffrey says...
3:42pm Thu 11 Mar 10

My daughter knew PK Andy and as I held her in my arms crying about this tragic loss last night I thought of Andys' mother and how she must be feeling to have lost a lovely young son. We are so sorry and our thoughts are with all your family. I hope that all our children will learn from this about how fragile and precious life is with Love Caroline and Holly

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dannysmith10 says...
4:47pm Thu 11 Mar 10

RIP mate! i didnt know you, but i saw your crash and i came to help! wish i could've done something, we're the same age and as soon as i saw you i felt sick, you didnt die alone mate, people were there with you! RIP matey!
x

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angel49 says...
6:56pm Thu 11 Mar 10

dannysmith10 wrote:
RIP mate! i didnt know you, but i saw your crash and i came to help! wish i could've done something, we're the same age and as soon as i saw you i felt sick, you didnt die alone mate, people were there with you! RIP matey! x
God Bless you Dannysmith10, that lovely comment will be a comfort to his family & friends. I hope you too will get over this this tragic accident. Take care and live life long & happy and safely!

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Growup says...
10:46pm Thu 11 Mar 10

Thinking of PK Andys family right now..... RIP x

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r.i.p Andy xx says...
10:57pm Thu 11 Mar 10

R.I.P Andy , Layed some flowers for your earlier, your are a true legend and will never be forgotton, i will never forget all the memories we have had, your going to be missed so much, x x x ♥ Your memory is a keepsake, in which none of us will ever part. The Angels will look after you now, sweet dreams Andy, Truely Missed ♥ XxX

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City - Square Mile says...
7:48am Fri 12 Mar 10

Any death is tragic especially when the person involved is young and I understand people wanting to say what a great guy he was but lets not ignore the details of the report.
“At the time of his death Mr Wylie was wanted by Bromley police.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on February 19 charged with three counts of burglary but absconded from the court”
Before anyone starts telling me to have compassion etc I really do feel for the family I just think sometimes we let tragedy cloud our judgement of people. Those who loved him did you know that he was wanted by the police or did you just choose to ignore it?

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sallys says...
8:25am Fri 12 Mar 10

Our thoughts are with Andy's family and friends. Such a tragic loss. We were always very fond of Andy, he was a special soul.
We'll miss you, Andy XX

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officegirl24 says...
2:53pm Fri 12 Mar 10

City- Not the time or the place for a comment like that really and the fact you tried to sugar coat your criticism with so called 'compassion for the family' makes it worse. If you had any compassion you would save your mud-stirring for somewhere else. This is a tribute page for Andy's friends and family, who clearly loved him and thought the world of him despite any faults he may have had. A young boy has lost his life, and whether he was in trouble when he was alive no longer matters, I think he has paid the ultimate price for any wrong actions he may have commited don't you? So therefore if you havent got a tribute for Andy, then why don't you just keep your thoughts to yourself! All you are doing here is causing further pain and upset to people who are already going through hell. For God's sake, if you have no respect for the memory of young Andy himself, then atleast try and have some respect for those he has left behind.

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kerry101 says...
3:02pm Fri 12 Mar 10

PK Andy,

Andy babe we are going to miss you so much, you were part of the family not just a friend. All of our memories will never be forgotten. You are sleeping with the angels now and your mummy. You will be truely missed babe. Me and the boys love you so so much forever and always. Left us too soon.

Kel, Reece and all the boys

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kerry101 says...
3:07pm Fri 12 Mar 10

City,

Y dont you shut your mouth and keep ya comments to ya self u didnt know andy or his know sod all about his life, leave my friend alone to rest in peace, this is for friend and familys thooughts only so back off.

Love ya Andy aways. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx

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City - Square Mile says...
3:15pm Fri 12 Mar 10

Officegirl - Understood and I apologise.

You are right it is not the time or place.

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officegirl24 says...
5:01pm Fri 12 Mar 10

City, Thanks for the apology, sure everyone on this page will appreciate it. :)

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K1rky says...
1:03pm Sun 14 Mar 10

If you choose to advertise the death of criminal on a public website then don't get funny when they are criticised. If you wanted to be left alone then don't talk to the media

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lisa.mullane says...
5:39pm Sun 14 Mar 10

My son knew you Andy and is utterly devastated. I don't understand how people can write such negative comments about someone who has lost their life. There is a saying that goes THERE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I. I'm sure we all have gone down the wrong path at times in our lives and need a little guidance. Unfortunately Andy wont be able to learn from his mistake, how sad is that. x

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Strawberry2428 says...
6:09pm Sun 14 Mar 10

This tragic news has exagerated how life is to short to be angry, life is to short to hold grudges, life is to short for regrets and life is to short to put off your dreams. People judge others without knowing the full story or by ever meeting that person. Cruel twists of fate can remind you just how valuable life is.
I knew Andy when he was a tot and he was such a lovely little boy. I was so upset to receive this news and have spent much remembering him and thinking of his family. Much love to you all ****

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BR1Boy says...
10:55am Mon 15 Mar 10

It's a form of natural selection, if he was stupid enough to burgle, steal cars and drive head-on into a lorry, then it's no great loss to society. I don't suppose we've lost someone who was going to develop a cure for cancer, or something to improve the world.

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Mrs Car-potts says...
3:04pm Mon 15 Mar 10

I feel sorry for the old people he robbed and scared whitless when he was breaking into their homes and stealing their possessions....does that make me a bad person?!?

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The-Voice-Of-Reason says...
7:50pm Mon 15 Mar 10

As a resident of Farnborough Village, I can honestly say I will sleep a little easier. I have close friends who were neighbours of Mr Wylie, and - as sad as it is to see a teenager waste his life - they are not exactly devastated by this story.
Yes, I am sure he was a great mate etc etc, but the fact is he was a criminal, causing distress to several innocent, law-abiding citizens.
I feel for the family, and can only hope his friends have enough brain power to learn from this episode.

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Jade x says...
10:54pm Mon 15 Mar 10

for everyone that didnt no andy you have no rights to say a bad word about him i bet your kids or you have done many mistakes in your lives but you dont hear us critizing you, a boy has lost his life fair enough he done bad things but everyone has in there life, he lost his mum and that is heartbreaking for him he didnt no what to turn to he was on his own, you are all heartless and have no desent comments to say yeh fair enough he nicked and what ever but he has lost his life and that is no way an easier way he didnt deserve to die, he was a great friend and yeh people will learn from this not to nick cars and drive them but this cannot be aimed at his mates because we are not like that he had reasons he went of the rails and it has nothing to do with you, you all need to grow up and learn when to write comments because it is not the time and the place to be inconsiderate and so heartless i just hope you sit and realise that im sure if this happened to one of your kids then you would change your view. Rest in Peace Andy Wiley Xx dont worry about who says what about you babe they have no hearts. Sleep tight Xx

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Firminess says...
3:11pm Wed 17 Mar 10

I usually read these things but never add a comment but felt I had to on this occasion. I knew Andy when he attended a school I worked at and for the time I knew him he left a mark on my life. Not for all the negative reasons that some people like to spout on about such as "criminal" and all the "got what he deserves" brigade but for the fact that he was a great kid. Many of you who have put derogatory comments about him won't have the first idea about Andy so it saddens me that you can be so critical and downright nasty at a time like this when you haven't got a clue about anything about him other than what you've read in the press. I'm happy for all those people who have got perfect lives and who have never crossed the line in their time (not even sneaking a phone call or nicking a pen from work, because that's theft too you know). I'm sure you're very happy in your glass houses.

Andy could raise a smile from anyone and never professed to be perfect but had been through a lot in his young life. I liked him and even when he left the school I was working at, he still made a point of crossing the road to talk to me and I always made time to speak to him. Although, I never quite got over the first day I knew him and he chucked himself off the top of the building, did a flip, landed, got up and smiled! He frequently showed me videos on his phone of his amazing stunts and agility - I'm sad he's gone, the world has lost something good no matter what all the critics say. Heartfelt condolences to Andy's family.

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blueviking says...
3:21pm Wed 17 Mar 10

Yet another senseless waste of life, where unfortunately the "victim" really has no excuse for his own stupidity & payed the ultimate price for his criminal activities.

Inteligent people know right from wrong, they know it is wrong to drive a stollen car. They also know the risks!

Fortunately the "victim" just killed himself but given the time of accident he could have just as easily plowed into a bus stop & killed someone truly innocent, children etc

To friends & realtives if you honestly want to remember him, make sure some good comes out of it , admit he made a mistake & make sure others like him learn from this tragedy.

You only have one life , treat it with respect & treat others with respect.

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Firminess says...
5:02pm Wed 17 Mar 10

As far as I can see no friend or family member has denied anything Andy did. The family needs compassion now not criticisim and put downs about Andy. I would like to hear how vocal these people would be if they lost a loved one, regardless of the circumstances. Let's hope the likes of BR1Boy is never bereaved.

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ChrisDee says...
11:03pm Wed 17 Mar 10

lisa.mullane wrote:
My son knew you Andy and is utterly devastated. I don't understand how people can write such negative comments about someone who has lost their life. There is a saying that goes THERE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO I. I'm sure we all have gone down the wrong path at times in our lives and need a little guidance. Unfortunately Andy wont be able to learn from his mistake, how sad is that. x
Lisa, you pretty much summed up my thoughts. I happened to be in a flat-share with Andy a little way back, loved his magic tricks. Got to know he was a bit of a tear-away, but as you say, a life has been lost and it makes me angry to read some of these comments. He had an amazing energy that you don't often see in people. I'm sure in time he would have straightened himself out.

My thoughts to his family and his many friends.

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forgiving says...
5:32pm Thu 18 Mar 10

I first crossed paths with Andy when he broke into my house while my family were asleep and stole my vehicle. Mine was probably one of the last cars he stole before his crash on March 9th. At the time this seemed like a terrible event and a violation of our home. I was pretty angry - though not as mad as some of the people of the above who weren't even involved.

Over the last week I have gradually learned a little more about Andy and find myself able to forgive him for what happened. He strikes me as a handsome, bright and talented boy whose life entered into a downward spiral for good reasons, to a point where he eventually felt he had nothing to lose.

I'm not going to sugar-coat the truth - he ended up as a criminal. But he didn't start out that way and there are two sides to every story. Even I can see past this and recognise that behind the headlines is a grieving family. There is no way that this situation could be considered as 'justice served' on Andy. It just terribly sad.

To his friends and family I would just urge you to remember him before things became unpleasant and pull together to support one another without feeling any guilt on mine or anyone else's behalf. That's all forgiven and laid to rest with him now.

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r3dhot says...
8:30pm Thu 18 Mar 10

The toerag was a thief who killed himself driving someone elses property get over it...

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Rsole says...
10:41am Sat 20 Mar 10

r3dhot wrote:
The toerag was a thief who killed himself driving someone elses property get over it...
Couldn't have put it better myself

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sweettooth says...
4:44pm Sat 20 Mar 10

His dad says that Andy was well known in Orpington and Bromley and could turn his hand to anything. Obviously! He was wanted by the police and his 'talents' included burglary and car theft.

What sort of parents can condone their son acting like this? Shows you what mentality they all have. Oh well, another little thug off the streets permanently. Let's hope it happens to a few more, and we can all rest peacefully in our beds at night.

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Strawberry2428 says...
11:50pm Tue 23 Mar 10

I think a lot of people could learn from 'Forgiving' in West Kent.
All I would ask is that people respect Andy's family and friends. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but there is a time and a place. Certainly not ever so public when those greiving can see such hatred. That is pure callous and cold hearted.
Respect and forgiveness are so important and for those who cannot do either of these they are just showing themselves to be ugly hurtfull people. At some point in life we all need to ask forgiveness for something.
It is down to people with small minds that the world is becoming the way it is. Full of hate and lacking compassion!

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Saint2010 says...
8:51pm Wed 24 Mar 10

Good riddance to a nasty little thug who got what he deserved.

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1busymum says...
10:54am Tue 30 Mar 10

I would just like to say that 'forgiving, west kent' has restored my faith in mankind! Yes, this boy may have lost his way and done some things that he shouldn't have, but some might say he paid the ultimate price. No family deserves to have to grieve the loss of a child no matter what they've done! I'm sure even the people who have added derogatory comments on here would agree that there are some absolutely vile 'people' in this world that have committed unthinkable crimes and have safely escaped with their lives. I hope that young people can see the error of this lads ways and learn from it. I never knew him or his family, but as a mum of 4 young children I hope they all take the right path in life, and there is only so much a parent can do in life to steer them in the right direction! My heart goes out to his family and friends.

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Andrew Wylie was known as PK Andy The crash scene in Green Street Green Road, Dartford.

Andrew Wylie was known as PK Andy

The crash scene in Green Street Green Road, Dartford



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