Please adhere to social distancing say family ahead of funeral procession
The first of four funerals held for the victims of the fatal road traffic collision in Derry Hill last month will take place this week.
Last updated 16th Sep 2020
Ryan Nelson's funeral will be held on Friday afternoon and his family have arranged for the funeral cortege to drive through Calne to allow people to pay their respects.
It will pass by Calne Town Hall at 2pm and will drive towards Tesco, where Ryan worked, via the bypass.
If members of the public wish to pay their final respects as the cortege drives past, his family have urged people to ensure they are adhering to social distancing and do not gather in groups of more than six.
There will be a celebration of Ryan's life after the service, but this is by invitation only to ensure it can be held safely at a Covid-secure venue.
If anyone would like to make donations in Ryan's memory, his family have chosen Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and these can be given c/o Johnson and Daltrey Independent Funeral Directors, in Calne, and they can be contacted on 01249 821200.
Inspector James Brain, from the Chippenham Area Community Policing Team, said the police and the local authority had been working closely with the family to allow them to celebrate Ryan's life in as safe a way as possible.
He said: "We completely understand that those who knew and loved Ryan want to be able to come together to remember him and pay their last respects.
"However, his family have made it clear that they want to be able to do this in a safe way, which does not pose a risk to public health.
"The town will see four funerals over the coming weeks, and I know this period of mourning will be very difficult for those having to say goodbye to much-loved sons, brothers and friends.
"However, the last thing anyone wants is for this to lead to an outbreak of Covid19 in the town, so I would urge everyone - particularly young people in Calne - to be mindful of social distancing and the current Government restrictions."
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive, Wiltshire Council, said: "This is a devastating time for those involved and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the four young men who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
"Understandably the family and friends of Corey, Jordan, Matthew, and Ryan want to celebrate their lives. We are working closely with colleagues at the police to support them to do so safely and within the latest government legislation.
"These are unprecedented times and we understand this is difficult for those grieving loved ones."