ROAD TRAGEDY
Waterford e-scooter crash victim ‘always smiled and laughed’ says heartbroken brother as tribute paid at funeral
Flowers, candles, cards and a teddy bear have been left at the spot where the accident happened
THE brother of a teenager who died when his e-scooter collided with a bus last week in Waterford said his younger sibling never let the bad days take away the smile he had on his face.
Gilbert Collins died instantly when the scooter went under the bus on the R680 Cork Road near the South East Technological University in Waterford at 1.10am on Thursday June 27.
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His friend who was with him, Avuzwa Idris, died in Cork University Hospital later that day.
Gilbert, of Ardmore Park, Ballybeg on the outskirts of Waterford city, lay in repose at Tom Hennessy’s Funeral Home yesterday.
Prayers were said this morning before his remains were taken to Kilbarry Cemetery.
The popular teenager is remembered by his parents Bobby and Ronke, brothers Marvellous and Albert Okin and his sister Precious Okin, his grandparents and extended family, friends and neighbours.
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Speaking at the funeral home, heartbroken Marvellous said: “Kids and teenagers need to be more attentive to what their parents advise them.
"We all need to appreciate our loved ones more because in this life, we never know what can happen.
“Thank you Gilbert for the memories, the lessons and the good times. You always smiled and laughed and though you had bad days, you never let them take away the smile from your face.
“As a big brother, I never thought he would be the one giving me a lesson on life even as he's leaving us, but it is something I will take from this incident.
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'So much more' than a 'character'
“To say he was a character was an understatement because he was so much more.
“I can't see Gilbert without picturing him smiling or laughing about something.
“Even now I know he's looking down and he's probably asking me why am I crying.
“He had so much life in him, I’ve never seen anything at all like him.
'He never let anything negative affect the smile he had'
“I could be giving out to him, and he’d still find a way to make me smile and laugh, even though I’d be mad at him.
“He never let anything negative affect the smile he had on his face every day and that's something I think all of us, even his close friends, can use as a motivation to get past this.”
Gilbert, had recently finished his Junior Cert in his school St Paul’s Community College.
He played soccer at U-16 level with Waterford Crystal Football Club where management said he was not only a talented player but "a very nice team mate and friend to other team members".
Late night tragedy
He and his friend Avuzwa were returning from an all-night gym when the e-scooter they were on collided with a coach at around 2am.
Flowers, candles, cards and a teddy bear have been left at the spot where the accident happened.
Hundreds of tributes and messages of sympathy for Gilbert and his family were left on the RIP.ie website.
They included one from a teacher at his school, Steven Wilmott, who wrote: “My deepest sympathy to Gilbert’s family and friends from the school and community.
'Sorely missed'
“He was one of the students that made it such a vibrant place to be in and will be sorely missed by everyone.”
St. Paul’s Community College Principal Fiona McDonnell wrote: “Gilbert was one of our most vivacious and energetic students, who was known to all.
“A word and a smile for everyone as he did laps around our school.
“We will miss him greatly. Sleep peacefully Gilbert.”
There will be a two-hour Memorial Service at Maranatha Christian Community Church in Waterford tomorrow at 6.30pm for 17-year-old Avuzwa followed by a two-hour funeral service the following day from 10am, with removal at 12 noon to Kilbarry Cemetery for burial on arrival.
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