BBC Morning Live hosts pay tribute to grieving parents after ‘devastating’ circumstances

Morning Live's Helen Skelton[1] and Gethin Jones have sent their love to grieving parents of a teenager who was killed at a street-cruising event. Ben Corfield, 19, and Liberty Harris, 16, died after a car struck several pedestrians gathered on the A457 Oldbury Road in Oldbury, West Midlands, on 20 November 2022. Following the crash, Dhiya Al Maamoury, 56, from Solihull, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for more than 13 years in November 2024.

During Monday's (February 23) episode of the BBC[2] programme, former detective sergeant Marc Cananur spoke to Ben's parents Damian and Lynette Corfield about the heartbreaking impacts and what's being done to tackle the issue surrounding car meets.

Statistics reveal that more than 450 unauthorised car meets took place in the UK in 2024. The gatherings, sometimes known as car cruises, see drivers speed-racing each other on public roads, often breaking the law putting the lives of everyone around them at risk. Marc explained that the events can often attract up to 200 cars at a time involving loud engine revving, blasting music and reckless high-speed car racing of 100mph or more, causing significant disruption to local residents.

Ben's parents explained that the youngster was "a dream child" and put himself forward as a candidate for Dudley's youth parliament aged 15 and was elected.

The youngster told his parents he was "just popping out for an hour" but the couple later received a visit from two police officers at their door during the early hours of the morning revealing that their son and another young girl had been killed. Just over three years later, a tearful Lynette admitted that she's "barely surviving day to day" and Damian added "you don't get a break from the fear and longing 24 hours a day". Marc later went to chat to sergeant Adrian Brown from West Midlands Police, who was one of the first responders to the scene, to discuss what plans are being put in place to prevent the car cruises.

It was revealed that retired police officer Ben Pearson has started a legal organised meet four years ago called called Cops and Cars with hopes to cut down the amount of deaths and injuries on the road.

After the pre-recorded clip ended, Helen said: "That is one of those conversations that is difficult to be a witness. "Damian and Lynette, Ben's parents, spoke with such eloquence in devastating circumstances. "We are all sending you best and love and prayers so thank you for speaking."

Gethin added: "Whenever you are behind the wheel, things can change in a split second. Very dangerous." Morning Live airs weekdays on BBC One at 9.30am

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For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected][4], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website

References

1. ^ Helen Skelton (www.dailystar.co.uk)
2. ^ BBC (www.dailystar.co.uk)
3. ^ ** Click here to activate** (www.google.com)
4. ^ [email protected] (www.mirror.co.uk)