Hundreds mourn cycle tragedy boy

Bearers carry Thomas Harland's coffin into the church

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a teenage cyclist killed in a road accident with three others.

Thomas Harland, 14, was one of the four members of Rhyl Cycling Club who died near Abergele on 8 January when a car driver lost control on an icy road.

His father Jon broke a leg in the crash and he entered Calvary Church in Prestatyn on crutches.

The hit Is This The Way to Amarillo? was played as the coffin went in. Over 100 mourners paid respects outside.

Explaining the choice of Tony Christie's song, Pastor John Marsden told mourners: "The family wanted to celebrate the life of Thomas in a way that would reflect his personality."

I believe that in heaven now Thomas is running, probably riding and enjoying life to the full Pastor John Marsden

The funerals of Maurice Broadbent, 61, from Rhuddlan, Dave Horrocks, 55, from Llanerch, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, of Rhyl take place later this week.

Thomas' funeral came eight days after the tragedy, when 12 cyclists were involved in the crash on the A547 Rhuddlan Road.

Other members of his family, including his mother Sharon and sisters Jessica and Sally watched as the environmentally-friendly wicker coffin was removed from the hearse.

Jon Harland, who was riding with his son, broke his leg in the accident

It was decked with a floral version of the crest of Thomas' football team, Leeds United. Helium balloons in the club's blue and yellow colours decorated the church.

Some weeping relatives began to laugh or smile as the first bars of Amarillo rang out on loudspeakers, which had been placed outside the packed church to allow a further 200 mourners to listen to the service.

Canon Clive Southerton said it was unusual to hear a comedy pop song at a funeral but it suited Thomas' sense of humour.

He said: "One thing I know about Thomas was that he had such a wicked sense of humour and I feel that that sense of humour is with us today.

Book of condolence

"I didn't know whether we should have walked into church like they did on the video for that song."

He also described a book of condolence opened at Prestatyn High School.

One message, he said, was from a schoolmate, who told Thomas: "I owe you £1 for those chips you bought me," and others ribbed him for following Leeds United.

Pastor John Marsden, who co-led the service, paid tribute to the close relationship between Thomas and his father.

Thomas's school friends were among the hundreds of mourners

He said: "They were father and son, and they were best mates. That's a wonderful tribute, to be such good friends with your dad."

The pastor also spoke about Thomas' love of cycling, explaining: "He learned to ride a bike at the age of five when he was in York.

"He saw the other boys and girls and he was determined to ride a bicycle like them. He fell off many times but because of that determination he learned to ride eventually."

He added: "I believe that in heaven now Thomas is running, probably riding and enjoying life to the full."

The young cyclist was a Leeds United supporter and the balloons were in the club's colours, added the pastor.

"I hope he doesn't mind a Man United fan being in the pulpit today but as a fellow supporter I bow to you."

The service was followed by a private burial, where the coloured balloons bearing messages from his family were released.

On Sunday, a week after the accident, members of Rhyl Cycling Club were joined by hundreds of cyclists from other clubs - among them his grandmother Dorothy - in wearing black armbands in memory of those who died.

Last week, the north-east Wales coroner opened and adjourned inquests into the four deaths.