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Update: Motorcyclist, 18, killed in crash

5:30pm Monday 5th November 2007

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By Sara Nelson »

A MUM cradled her motorcyclist son as he lay dying following a collision with a car.

Father-of-one Jai Hodgson, 18, was driving an off-road-style motorbike when the collision happened in Kidbrooke on Sunday.

Today, his distraught family gathered at the spot in Rochester Way, at the junction with Birdbrook Road, and left bunches of pink roses, emotional tributes and a sign saying "RIP Jai".

Mr Hodgson's mum, Beverley, of Langbrook Road, said: "It was a shock, I can't believe he's gone. I'm stunned at the moment.

"His last words were mum, I love you'."

Mrs Hodgson said she saw her son, who has a one-year-old daughter called Chloe, at her friend's house hours before the accident.

She added he had told her about a row he had with his girlfriend Kirsty.

It is understood the motorbike he was riding belonged to his friend and his family say the brakes were not working properly.

Mrs Hodgson added: "He couldn't stop. He should never have been on the bike. It cost him his life."

She said: "He wasn't one for bikes. It wasn't his, it was his friend's."

The collision, involving a dark blue Daewoo saloon car, happened at around 3.15pm.

Mum-of-five Mrs Hodgson heard about the accident and went to the scene, where she found her son bleeding in the road.

She said: "He was conscious. I was holding his head to calm him down.

"He was trying to fight it, he was a fighter. But he couldn't breathe."

Paramedics were called to the scene where they operated on Mr Hodgson, who had been living with his uncle in Plumstead Common.

His mum said: "He was resuscitated six times. The ambulance crew said he had internal bleeding."

A doctor from the air ambulance, which landed nearby, pronounced him dead at the scene at around 4.10pm.

The driver of the car was taken by the London Ambulance Service to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, where he was treated for injuries and shock.

His condition is not serious.

Unemployed Mr Hodgson, who had split up with the mother of his child, had been looking for work. In the past he had worked as a mechanic.

His partner Kirsty is believed to have witnessed the accident from her house, which overlooks Rochester Way.

Mr Hodgson leaves behind sisters Charlotte, 11, and Rebecca, eight, and brothers Lee, 21, and seven-year-old Shane.

One tribute, from his uncle Brian, read: "You will always be remembered in my heart."

Another from his sister Charlotte said: "I miss you so much. I wish I could say goodbye but it's too late.

"I just want to say I love you."

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out at Greenwich mortuary tomorrow.

A Met police spokesman said: "Collision investigators are investigating the circumstances of the incident and are appealing for anyone who witnessed it to contact them.

"Rochester Way is a busy road and it would still have been light at the time of the collision.

"Anyone with information should call the Collision Investigation Unit at Catford Traffic Garage on 020 8285 1574."

  • Did you know Mr Hodgson? Call the newsroom on 01689 885703 or leave a message of condolence in our comments section below.
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Dom, Kidbrooke says...
6:15pm Mon 5 Nov 07

This happened right at the top of my road, although I didn't witness it. I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends. You are in my thoughts. I hope the driver of the car is OK too.

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C, Grove Park says...
6:15pm Mon 5 Nov 07

My thoughts are with his family.

RIP Jai

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Danny Outteridge, says...
8:22pm Mon 5 Nov 07

Jai was the best cozen enyone could ever ask for,he was more like another brother to me.

R.I.P JAI
Never forget you cuz!
(Danny)

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Hevsey, New Zealand says...
12:45am Tue 6 Nov 07

My sincere and deepest thoughts to you and your family Beverly at such a sad and tragic loss of your young Son. Be strong for your other children Beverly, they will need you x

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mark, kidbrooke says...
2:38am Tue 6 Nov 07

jai i tryed my hardest to try and help you. i am speechless wish i could have done more there god bless R.I.P.
quote

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alex, charlton says...
9:58am Tue 6 Nov 07

this is a terrible thing to have happened to such a young man with all his life in front of him and so sad for his daughter chloe who sadly will never know her dad now goodbye jai r.i.p

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nat, sidcup says...
10:43am Tue 6 Nov 07

if he and his family were aware that the brakes were not working properly then why was he let on there, especially when he has little experience of riding a motorbike?
to have your son die in your arms must be one of the saddest things immaginable for a mother. My thoughts are with all of the family for their tragic loss.
R.I.P Jai

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Richard Outteridge, Woolwich says...
11:09am Tue 6 Nov 07

Rip Jai You will be sadly missed and never forgoten love Richard Alice Hayden

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kirsty, kidbrooke says...
11:40am Tue 6 Nov 07

jai i miss you so much although were not together we will never be apart. i will always keep your memories close in my heart love you always kirstyxxxxxxx i will never forget youxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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D, SE3 says...
1:54pm Tue 6 Nov 07

This was a tradgic accident that could have so been avoided,why let a 18 year old boy with no knowledge of the road on a defective motorcycle,with no helmet,proper clothing,tax,mot,ins
urance,or even a licence. one wonders?my thoughts are with the poor man in the car that did not stand a chance and has to live with this for the rest of his life,
its a real shame people allowed him to get on the bike in the first place,
all i hope now is that lessons can be learnt and parents stop there children from getting on these death traps before another person gets killed.

JAY R.I.P

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kelly bennett, thamesmead says...
4:16pm Tue 6 Nov 07

R.I.P JAI
our hearts go out to the rest of the family.
you know where we are if you need us,
remember us bennett's stick together.****

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kelly bennett, thamesmead says...
4:28pm Tue 6 Nov 07

R.I.P JAI
our hearts are with you all.
you know where we all are if you need us.
xxx

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tasha, kidbrooke langbrook says...
4:38pm Tue 6 Nov 07

R.I.P JAI YOUR GONNA BE SADLY MISSED BY EVERYONE,JUST WANNA SAY THANKS FOR MAKING KIRSTY AS HAPPY AS SHE WAS,EVEN THO U AINT HERE WE WONT STOP LOVING YOU,I PROMISE TO LOOK AFTER HER AS I HAVE DONE FOR YEARS.R.I.P BABEXXXX
UR GIRL WILL BE FINE XXXXXXXXX

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kelvin + jill bennett, thamesmead says...
4:44pm Tue 6 Nov 07

R.I.P JAI
our thoughts and love are with you all,he will always be remembered in our hearts,
love uncle kelvin + aunt jill.

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D, SE3 says...
5:13pm Tue 6 Nov 07

D wrote:
This was a tradgic accident that could have so been avoided,why let a 18 year old boy with no knowledge of the road on a defective motorcycle,with no helmet,proper clothing,tax,mot,ins urance,or even a licence. one wonders?my thoughts are with the poor man in the car that did not stand a chance and has to live with this for the rest of his life, its a real shame people allowed him to get on the bike in the first place, all i hope now is that lessons can be learnt and parents stop there children from getting on these death traps before another person gets killed. JAY R.I.P
JAI

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cousin stacey, your cousin Stacey says...
11:37pm Tue 6 Nov 07

R.I.P My cousin jai i will always miss and love u but u will never be forgotten. your one of a kind and ur family is always be here for u and u will always be thought of. love you loads and always will your cousin Stacey x x x x x r.i.p.x x x x

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From 1 Mum to Another, says...
12:04pm Wed 7 Nov 07

To Jai's Mum,
There can be nothing worse than lossing a child, My heart goes out to you
My thought are also with Jai's family at this sad time.
Such a waste of a young life.

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dave bennett, thamesmead says...
12:46pm Wed 7 Nov 07

r.i.p jai
such a waste of a young life and a good person my heart goes out to you all and as kelly said you know where we are if you need us
xxx

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Dom, Kidbrooke says...
4:14pm Wed 7 Nov 07

The tributes are lovely. I walk past them sometimes when I walk our dog. There are always people there having a look at them. I hope you and your family are bearing up as OK as you can Beverley. My family's thoughts are with you all.

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Dom, Kidbrooke says...
4:16pm Wed 7 Nov 07

mark wrote:
jai i tryed my hardest to try and help you. i am speechless wish i could have done more there god bless R.I.P.
quote
Well done for your help mate. It sounds like his injuries were just too severe though. I would have done the same had I been there, as any decent person would. It's so sad

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stephen bennett and family, thamesmead says...
5:20pm Wed 7 Nov 07

sorry to hear about jai, our hearts are with you all. ****

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Tony smith, woolwich says...
9:07am Thu 8 Nov 07

rip jai you will be missed. tony bell and kids.

rip

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T, SE3 says...
2:09pm Thu 8 Nov 07

So sorry to hear what's happened to Beverley and her family! I knew you from Thamesmead and now I can't believe I have found out that you live in my road too. Deepest sympathy to you all.

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terry and lizzie, eltham says...
2:24pm Thu 8 Nov 07

r.i.p jai
we all miss u loads u will always be in our hearts u will never be forgoten love u and miss u love terry and lizzie x x x x

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yvonne and bert (nan and grandad of kirsty, woolwich says...
3:13pm Fri 9 Nov 07

even though we new jai for such a short time our hearts go out to his family and friends also his girlfriend kirsty R.I.P JAI p.s. you will never be forgottenxx

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jean and barry bennett, rayleigh essex says...
9:15pm Fri 9 Nov 07

We cannot begin to imagine how you must all be feeling at this sad moment in time,our thoughts are with you all.

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jean and barry bennet, rayleigh essex says...
9:17pm Fri 9 Nov 07

We cannot begin to imagine how you must all be feeling at this sad moment in time,our thoughts are with you all.

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sam, eltham says...
12:36am Sat 10 Nov 07

rip im sorry for your loss dont forget how the driver feels when he has to live with it for the rest of his life knwing hes killed someone but not his fault rip good luck to the family ****

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sophie, kidbrooke says...
9:51am Sat 10 Nov 07

jai was loved and still is loved by all his family and mates he will always be in who hearts and we will remember jai all who life ps:we will miss jai so so much r.i.p jai love from sophie heselden and family

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debbie and tracey obrien, woolwich says...
3:40pm Sat 10 Nov 07

bev we are so sorry to hear about your loss of Jai our thoughts are with you and the family at this sad time we are here if you need us lots of love debbie tracey and families xxx

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matt, thamesmead se28 says...
4:49pm Sat 10 Nov 07

i don't know how you can call this an accident,the person that gets on a bike without a helmet & rides the way he was riding, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT...my thoughts go out to the driver of the car and his family.it was not your thought..

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Jason, Langbrooke Road Kidbrooke says...
7:57pm Sat 10 Nov 07

i heard about the accident the day after it happened and i was shcked to hear some 1 had died =(. R.I.P jai X

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TASHA, langbrook road kidbrooke says...
1:10pm Sun 11 Nov 07

matt wrote:
i don\'t know how you can call this an accident,the person that gets on a bike without a helmet & rides the way he was riding, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT...my thoughts go out to the driver of the car and his family.it was not your thought..
we dont need people like you commenting on this thank you very much.it has been h hard week for his family and my best friend kirsty,bev even tho u didnt no me im so sorry to hear about jai hope every1 is ok.R.I.P JAI ****

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sharon obrien, woolwich says...
4:38pm Sun 11 Nov 07

bev im sorry to hear about jai he was loved by everone my thoughts with you always he will be sadly missed by all of us your like a sister too me if you need me you know where i am love you babe and sorry again r.i.p jai you will be sadly missed xxxxxxxxx

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jean, rayleigh essex says...
6:15pm Sun 11 Nov 07

d se3 do you not think that the family are suffering enough without people assuming that his parents knew that he was riding the bike without a helmet or that they knew that the bike was not roadworthy , as parents i am sure that we all think we could have done more for our children or maybe could have prevented them hurting themselves,but as they grow they make their own decisions and unfournately, not always the right ones.., do not be so quick to point the finger,and of course we must all remember the driver of the car,the person must be feeling awful,no it should not have happened,sadly it did,please let the family grieve,without being made to feel worse then they do by reading comments like yours.
RIP JAI XX

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paul bennett, erith says...
9:29pm Sun 11 Nov 07

gone but never forgotton,RIP jai, with love,we are here if you need us x x x

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debbie, woolwich says...
10:49pm Sun 11 Nov 07

good bye jai rest in peace you was a lovley boy and loved by alot of people you will be sadly missed still cant belive you have gone you will be sadly missed sleep well jai xxxxxxxxxxxx

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Lesley Bennett and Girls, Thamesmead says...
2:03pm Tue 13 Nov 07

Beverly and family, we are sorry for your loss and our hearts are with you all. You no where we are!! xx

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jakki cast, woolwich says...
3:41pm Tue 13 Nov 07

ive known you since u was born, such a waste of a life, a lovely kid, rip jai xx thoughts go out to your family and auntie karen ****

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bob, london says...
5:41pm Tue 13 Nov 07

rip jai

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toni c, woolwich says...
7:39pm Tue 13 Nov 07

R.I.P Jai...
So Young..Had A Whole Life Ahead Of Ya.
Hope Your In A Better Place...
You Will Never Be Forgotten..And You Will Always Be Loved...
Thoughts Going Out To Your Family..
x x x

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KIKI, woolwhich says...
12:54am Wed 14 Nov 07

to jai, i didnt no u that well but i do no that you were a good dad to chloe and that she will miss you very much. cathrine and chloe will b lost without u.RIP JAI LOVE U ALWAYS ****

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diane [bennett], gravesend says...
10:10am Fri 16 Nov 07

so sorry to hear about jai.thinking of you all.love di.xx

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donna, woolwich says...
2:35pm Sat 17 Nov 07

very muched loved by his friends and family. didnt know jai personally but know his auntie karen and know that she loved him and still loves him loads. she was so very proud of him and the way he was with his daughter so was all his family. my thoughts with you all at this very sad time. rip jai god bless ****

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sophie, kidbrooke says...
4:04pm Sat 17 Nov 07

r.i.p we are going to miss jai so much we lovee him so so much r.i.p jai ps:we love you jai so so much and i will take care of my sister kirsty and she really misses you to love you babe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx

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Shannon, Selsdon says...
8:26pm Sat 17 Nov 07

This accident has really made me think about all the bad things that can happen in this world. I am a friend of Charlotte's and know it must be hard for her. My thoughts are with her family and I hope they can continue their life and live a happy life.....R.I.P Jai x

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charlotte martin, kidbrooke says...
8:35pm Sat 17 Nov 07

R.I.P brov you went through a hard time you have my love no matter wot nothing can replace you 'you will remember you no matter wot i love you soooo much mum thinking of you so much me and every 1 around you
love your little sister charlotte xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXR.I
.P XXXXXXXXX

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tasha, kidbrooke langbrook says...
8:23pm Wed 2 Jan 08

jai its been nearly 2 months n it still dont seem true,just want you to no that im still looking after kirsty and we still talk about you all the time,R.I.P jai babe miss ya ****
p.s your never be forgotten xxxxxxxxxx

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tony gillett, eltham/middle park says...
10:58am Fri 4 Jan 08

r.i.p jai u will never b forgotten my heart goes out to all the family u will always b loved by many r.i.p m8 tony gillett

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Terry Bennett, Eltham says...
12:21am Wed 9 Jan 08

R.I.P JAI. ITS BEEN NEARLY 3 MONTHS. ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU CUZ. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART LOVE TERRY.

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tony gillett, eltham/middle park says...
11:56pm Wed 16 Jan 08

jai rest in peace u will never b forgoten or never b missed u was a gd kid and will always b in every 1s heart and soul hope ur doing gd in heavon r.i.p god bless tony and family x

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hannah, woolwich says...
2:56pm Fri 25 Jan 08

still miss u and chloe will no about u ****

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rhys heselden, kidbrooke says...
12:18am Sun 9 Mar 08

its been 4 month now and still thinking off you jai god bless m8 rhys and steven

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hannah, woolwich says...
7:41pm Tue 18 Mar 08

well jai chloe had her 2nd bday last wk and now its nearly ur bday.will b thinking of u on sunday 23d march.u will never be forgotten in my hse. rest in peace.****

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kirsty, kidbrooke says...
10:06am Sun 23 Mar 08

MEMORY of jai!

its been four months since you went away
we all still miss you everyday
a special friend you will always be in my heart eternally.
19 years ago today a boy was born his name was jai
there he is lying there smiling away then here we are dreaming away

a life that is this short no one knows why
a big birthday party up in the sky.
the loving memory of jai we all know
we will miss you although your not here

happy birthday jai miss you loads
god bless you love kirsty zoe sophie stephen rhys lauren and megan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xx

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sophie (kirsty's sister), kidbrooke says...
10:50am Sun 23 Mar 08

i know i didnt know you that well but god bless you happy
19th birthday everyone is missing you luv ya babes **** R.I.P P.S your truely missed

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hannah bowman, woolwich says...
12:33pm Sun 23 Mar 08

well jai chole is only 2 but i no she would want 2 say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY XXX to u.

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jaqui, woolwich says...
12:52pm Sun 23 Mar 08

happy birthday and happy easter hopefully you get double partys today have a great time enjoy yourself everybody is missing you ecpecially chloe lots of love jaquixxx miss ya

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jeanni[chloes auntie], woolwich says...
12:58pm Sun 23 Mar 08

to jai happy birthday i know u will be parting with all the other angels ha ha chloe is missing u mad so r we all chloe is a little cutie we will look after her u will never be forgotten love ya loads jeannixxx miss ya p.s ur madly missed

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Danny, Woolwich says...
8:27pm Sun 6 Apr 08

Jai theres not a day that go's by when i not thinking about you iv lost my best mate an my best cozen,
Make shore you save me a spot up there with you cuz as i know this isent are last goodbye.
An i promis you ill always be there for Littel Chloe when an if she needs me to be for as long as i shall live, as i know thats what you would have wanted, Littel Chloe is the only thing we have left ov you Jai, an i cherish every hug from her.Every time i look at her i see you, an fill so proud ov you for such a lovey littel girl.R.I.P Cuz, wish you was still down here with us.p.s Ill STILL be missing you,Rembering you, an thinking ov you as you are looking down on us all.Love Danny

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auntie karen uncle terry xxxxxxxxx, woolwich says...
7:51pm Wed 9 Apr 08

dear jai we miss u loads it aint the same without you'
your daughter chloe is a minnie you always smiling just like you.****
just to let u know'
she is as close to are families hearts as you are.**** well keep her safe and loved just like you did an tell her about her dad and how much you loved your daughter chloe ****
well never forget you Jai **** we know your be smiling down miss you **** lots of love always Auntie Karen Uncle Terry XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXR.I.P Love you lotsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xx

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hannah bowman, woolwich says...
7:48pm Sat 19 Apr 08

well jai its coming up 6mths now and you would be so proud of your cousin danny.he is allways there for your baby chloe.he just got her more trainers yesterday.so just wanted you to know that he is looking after her like you would.i know he misses you lots thats why he is allways welcome in my house.we all miss you loads.i know you are at peace.XXXXXXXXXXXXX

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margaret, london mayday gardens says...
11:47am Mon 28 Apr 08

i heard about wat happened and its very sad it happened near where i live even though i ont no him i now this he was loved and missed y everyone

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jeanni[chloes auntie], woolwich says...
3:25pm Thu 1 May 08

hi jai missing u like mad thinking of u every mornin and night u will always be in our heart u made me laugh jaixxXXxxur cuzin danny is loking after chloe just like we all r danny is the best cuzin chloe would ever have in the world danny is so nice and funny makes us all laugh wen he sees us miss u lots jai-jai **** p.s dont think i will ever forget u luv ya loads

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jaqui[chloes auntie], woolwich says...
12:37pm Sun 4 May 08

hii jai missin u like mad wish u were still done her with us cathrine and chloe are missin u like mad chloe makes us laugh love ya and miss ya like mad jaquixxxxR.I.P P.S u will never be forgotin

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stacey wallace, london woolwich says...
8:11pm Fri 23 May 08

jai rip missing you i cant belive you have gone you are always in my thoughts. bev i hope you are doing well and i hope to see you soon love ya you are one of a kind jai THE SKY WAS BRIGHT NOW THE SKY IS DARK THE STARS ARE OUT AND BRIGHT NOW ITS TIME TO SAY GOOD NIGHT.rip love ya.

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Chloe (jais little girl), woolwich says...
2:46pm Sun 15 Jun 08

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DADDY!! Miss u loads. Love u always Chloe x x x x x x x x x x x x

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tasha, langbrook road says...
9:22pm Mon 7 Jul 08

jai its been 8 months and still everyone is missing you like mad hope your being good hunni **** miss ya im still looking after kirsty **** sleep well hunni

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Alice, says...
11:58am Thu 10 Jul 08

Dear Jai... Just writing this message to let you know that we all love you and miss you every day... You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. Your memory will live on!.. RIP JAI.xx Never forgotten. Love always.xx

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jaqui(chloes auntie), woolwich says...
2:36pm Fri 18 Jul 08

dear jai well its tonys bday on tuesday were havin a bbq tomoz hopefully ur'll be partyin with us up there missin u loads and loads love you lots jaquixxxxxxxxxxr.i.p i'll **** and see u again soon

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jaqui, woolwich says...
2:44pm Fri 18 Jul 08

sozzy was ment to put come instead off the stars

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Danii, woolwich says...
2:13am Sun 20 Jul 08

Always missing you, can never forget that smile of yours and all the fun times we had and even the low times we went through together and the silly arguments we had i deeply miss.
you was here for my 16th bday but i can't get over you not being here for my 17th.
babes i will never forget you and hope one day we'l meet again. all my love the whole world n the nxt dani x x x

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jaqui(chloes auntie), woolwich says...
7:24pm Wed 6 Aug 08

hi jai its been so long now everyone is missin u like mad ill **** and see u again soon love u lots jaquixxxxxx

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cathrine, woolwich says...
10:10am Thu 4 Sep 08

its nearly a yr jai n me n chloe miss u lyk crazy..luv u so much n we always will r.i.p jai xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Jai Hodgson's mother cradled her son as he lay dying Some of the tributes at the scene of the crash

Jai Hodgson's mother cradled her son as he lay dying

Some of the tributes at the scene of the crash