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22
Jul
Pateley Bridge in mourning for football-loving teenager Bailey
It’s difficult to think of a more picturesque and idyllic place than Pateley Bridge, in the heart of Nidderdale.
But a dark cloud hangs over the town this week following the death of teenager Bailey Chadwick in a hit-and-run collision in the early hours of Sunday morning (July 20).
The Stray Ferret frequently covers Pateley Bridge, often reporting on light-hearted community events, such as the Nidderdale Show and various tractor runs.
But the mood was much darker today when we visited to find out more about the impact of Bailey's death on the tight-knit community.
The impact was tangible, even before arriving in the town. A large Sheffield Wednesday flag has become the centrepiece of a shrine alongside the B6265 where the 19-year-old died while walking home to Glasshouses after working at the Royal Oak.
People were reluctant to speak on the record about Bailey, but there was little doubt about the affection in which he is held.
Notes at the roadside shrine included messages such as “light up the sky” and “party hard up there”.
Bailey, who was due to go to Thailand this week, was a huge Sheffield Wednesday fan. Besides the club's blue and white colours, the site has been inundated with flowers, cards, San Miguel and Inch’s cider.
At St Cuthbert’s Church, which stayed open late on Sunday and Monday for prayers, more notes were displayed describing him as beautiful and a credit to his family.
Staff at the Royal Oak, who paid tribute to Bailey yesterday, described their former colleague as "the most loveable, caring, trustworthy, happy, smiley, beautiful young man we have ever had the honour of working with".
That sense of loss was apparent in people we met today.
Mourners left messages for Bailey at the memorial site. We have anonymised the messages.
'Do the right thing'
Beneath the grief is a hope that the driver of the car that struck Bailey can be traced.
He is believed to have been hit as he crossed the road between 1.44am and 3.10am.
Officers have urged the driver to "do the right thing" and come forward.
Bailey (middle) at The Royal Oak, where he worked.
‘We will miss him more than any words can say’
In a statement issued by North Yorkshire Police, Bailey’s family shared their devastation — and echoed the wish that the driver contacts the police.
We will miss him more than any words can say.
The only thing left that could add any sense of closure, would be for the person involved in the incident to hand themselves in or for information be provided resulting in them being spoken to by the police.
An online fundraiser set up yesterday by Bailey’s sister, Daniella, has raised more than £12,000 in just over 24 hours.
The money raised will be used to pay for Bailey's funeral. You can donate by clicking here.
The amount of money raised so quickly shows how much Bailey meant to people. Pateley is in mourning, and although nothing will bring him back the town is desperate for the driver to be identified.
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