Willow, Angel, Thor, Keavy
- Male
- Died Sep 16, 2007
- Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
About
Tragedy in Lincolnshire
A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after four of his children died when his Land Rover crashed into a river.
Nigel Gresham, 37, from Witham Drive, Chapel Hill, Lincolnshire, was charged with four counts of the offence after his car fell into the River Witham, Lincolnshire, on September 16 last year.
Four of his seven children - Willow, two, Angel, four, Thor, six, and Keavy, eight - died in the crash, which took place near Tattershall Bridge.
He was remanded in custody and police said he would appear at Grantham Magistrates Court this afternoon.
The tragic case had made headlines because the family were popular and well-known in their local community.
Jaswant Kaur Narwal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Lincolnshire, said he and his colleagues had spent "a great deal of time" reviewing the evidence before deciding whether to prosecute because of the unique circumstances of the case.
“It is not a decision which has been taken lightly given the tragic deaths of Mr Gresham’s children and the loss he has suffered as their father," he added.
Mr Gresham had been driving with his partner, Sarah Bolland, 30, after leaving their home in Chapel Hill, Lincs, when their bright yellow vehicle left a single-tracked road. The 12-seater fell 15ft and landed on its side in the river.
At the time, Chief Inspector Mark Housley, of Lincolnshire Police, said that more members of the family would have died but for the “heroic” actions of members of the public.
Colin Dunlop, a 35-year-old bookseller, and his brother-in-law, Martin Lindley, 41, discovered the accident, and pulled several of the children out.
Mr Gresham, who was on sick leave because of depression at the time of the accident, is a Land Rover enthusiast. He wrote on a website devoted to his vehicle: “Land Rovers aren’t a vehicle, they aren’t even a way of life, they are a highly infectious disease.”
The family met a number of their friends at Land Rover shows, including Faye Ballard, who lives four doors away.
She described Willow, one of those who was killed, as “a monkey . . . full of mischief. She was lovely. She was a proper little girl.”
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My condolences
Maxi Sep 17, 2011
May it’s promise of a resurrection also fills your hearts with hope - (John 5:28-29) “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, …” Even now God provides comfort. He promises at (Psalm 147:3) “He is healing the brokenhearted ones, And is binding up their painful spots.” It is my hope that these comforting help you face each new day as face the difficult task of recovery. Please feel free to email at maxicares4u@hotmail.com.
<3
Leah Sep 17, 2011
Nigel and Amber; I don't know you but I really do hope your as ok as can be <3
Willow, Angel, Thor and Keavy; hope your up there causing all sorts of mischief and watching over everyone that loves you <3
Maxi (Sep 17, 2011)
Maxi (Sep 17, 2011)
To those left behind xx
Mother hen Jul 05, 2010
My own world caved in when your babies were taken so cruelly. As I am Mum to a big family like yours I thought it could so easily have been my family that day (as I live in Lincs Fenland too)
I watched the news intently and felt your grief with you.
I could never imagine what it would be like to lose over half of my family.
A day or so after the crash I had to pick something up from a friend, Traci in Chapel Hill and had no idea that you lived on the same road until I saw the mountain of flowers....at that, I was physically sick and had to go home.
I could never grasp Nigel being punished as he was punished enough which is why I befriended him thru Facebook.
Sean, Star, Amber and Liam- you are a credit to your Dad! I think he is amazing and you all are too.
I cannot bear to think of your loss as it makes me ill so the fact that you have turned out well is a testament to your good old Dad.
Rest in Peace little ones. I often look at your pictures and wish you were still here but sadly no amount of wishing (or praying in some peoples cases) will work.
Life goes on for those left behind and Nigel finding love with Rachel and you kids doing well at school is a fantastic achievement and I wish I knew you as real people instead of just thru Nigel's Facebook!
Big hugs to you all from Lyn (ps I do have a tendency to be like mother hen wanting to make sure everyone is ok but that's just me)
To those left behind xx
Mother hen Jul 05, 2010
My own world caved in when your babies were taken so cruelly. As I am Mum to a big family like yours I thought it could so easily have been my family that day (as I live in Lincs Fenland too)
I watched the news intently and felt your grief with you.
I could never imagine what it would be like to lose over half of my family.
A day or so after the crash I had to pick something up from a friend, Traci in Chapel Hill and had no idea that you lived on the same road until I saw the mountain of flowers....at that, I was physically sick and had to go home.
I could never grasp Nigel being punished as he was punished enough which is why I befriended him thru Facebook.
Sean, Star, Amber and Liam- you are a credit to your Dad! I think he is amazing and you all are too.
I cannot bear to think of your loss as it makes me ill so the fact that you have turned out well is a testament to your good old Dad.
Rest in Peace little ones. I often look at your pictures and wish you were still here but sadly no amount of wishing (or praying in some peoples cases) will work.
Life goes on for those left behind and Nigel finding love with Rachel and you kids doing well at school is a fantastic achievement and I wish I knew you as real people instead of just thru Nigel's Facebook!
Big hugs to you all from Lyn (ps I do have a tendency to be like mother hen wanting to make sure everyone is ok but that's just me)