Family of Stamford teen pay tribute after fatal car crash
The 17 year old was killed after getting a lift to college from a friend
Last updated 21st Jun 2023
The family of a teenager from Stamford have paid a loving tribute to their son and brother who died in a car crash.
Seventeen-year-old Jake Hankins from Stamford died in 22 September 2022.
He was a rear passenger in the Mercedes driven by nineteen-year-old Harvey Holehouse.
Harvey, from Woodborough in Gedling was doing 120 miles an hour in a 60 zone when his car hit another in Gonalston last September.
Jake got in the car with two others for a short journey back to college.
Both he and Harvey were killed when the Mercedes struck an oncoming car, causing both vehicles to leave the carriageway.
3 other people were hurt, two of them are still recovering from their injuries
An inquest at Nottingham Coroner’s Court today (Tuesday 20 June), ruled Jake and Harvey both died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Jake’s family said: “Jake was a kind, gentle, and considerate young man – just starting to plan his life.
“He loved farming with an absolute passion and gained a great number of friends through his interests within the farming community.
“He has been described as having an infectious smile, but he was so much more than that to us.
“Jake was our son, a little brother, a nephew, and a grandson and loved by so many people that all miss him dearly.
“Life without Jake just isn’t life."
“We don’t want Jake to have died in vain and hope that lessons are learnt from this tragic incident.”
Case investigator Louise Melbourne, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Jake was taken from his family, friends, and everyone who knew him far too soon and our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with his family.
“This inquest will not bring Jake back, but I hope it gives his family some closure.
“Many people were effected by this incident and our thoughts are also with those still in recovery from their injuries and with all those impacted by what happened”.