“Tell them everything. It should be on the front page.”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is the message from parents to police after the death of their son.
During the early hours of Thursday morning, a young man was first on the scene of a crash that claimed his brother’s life.
He then had to tell his family that their Ben had died.
Just like that, the Patons’ lives had changed forever.
Only those who have experienced such a shocking and sudden loss could relate to what the family is currently feeling and thinking.
Here at The Examiner, we can often be criticised for reporting on crashes. We are also heavily criticised when “not enough” information is provided from a crash.
This is why we focus on the messages.
Police and emergency services use the media for public service announcements or assistance. For example, helping to find a missing person or identifying road closures.
When crashes are serious or fatal, it’s important for the reasons why to be identified and reported.
Studies indicate that reporting could help to reduce future crashes and help correct behaviour that could be heading towards a serious crash.
This is why the Patons spoke to us. They sat down with our reporter for more than two hours and gave us the honour of giving an insight into their adventurous and dedicated son.
Ben should not be remembered as the 25th person to die on Tasmanian roads this year.
Instead he was a 20-year-old who lived life to the full and made a mistake by not wearing a seat belt.
His parents are hopeful that someone will read his story and realise not wearing a seat belt can cost you your life.
Or perhaps Ben’s story will make you slow down around a corner, pause for longer at that stop sign or not proceed through an orange light, leave the mobile phone on silent while driving or decline that extra drink.
Our thoughts are with the Patons. We hope that Ben’s death can save lives.