Footballer, 25, killed in automobile crash as heartbroken household share emotional tribute
The family of a 25-year-old footballer who was killed during a car crash have shared an emotional tribute during an inquest into his death
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The heartbroken family of a 25-year-old footballer have shared an emotional tribute after his tragic death.
Kian Broadhead died following a car crash on the Peel to Kirk Michael coastal road on the Isle of Man. And an inquest into his passing has heard how he was “happy and smiling” in the hours before his death.
Broadhead died after his work van left the road at the Devil’s Elbow. His body wasn’t found for some 17 hours after the crash, but it was ruled he had died “almost instantaneously” from a head injury that occurred in the accident last September.
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An emotional written statement by his mum, Kate Lowry, read: “Our whole family is heartbroken by our loss but we are pulling together and supporting each other the best way we can.”
Mrs Lowry also explained how the family are a “close and supportive unit” and Broadhead was an avid Liverpool FC fan and played for Peel AFC.
There were moving tributes from his football club and hundreds attended his funeral at St German’s Cathedral in Peel.
Evidence was heard from Broadhead’s mum, his girlfriend and other friends who saw him in Peel on the Saturday before his death during an inquest.
He was described as being in “high spirits” as he visited the Peveril and Marine pubs after scoring a goal during Peel AFC’s win that day.
Mrs Lowry said she had a picture taken with her son at the pub that day, which he later text to her and she replied “love you”. She added they were last words she told him.
A statement was also read from his girlfriend who said: “Kian was in a really good mood, laughing and joking….I was in shock and it was all a blur. I am still struggling to process it. Losing Kian has been utterly devastating.”
Toxicology reports found Broadhead had been three times over the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the crash. Coroner James Brooks believed the amount of alcohol Kian drank that night impaired his judgment and meant he misjudged the corner.
After delivering his verdict, Mr Brooks told the family: “Those who met Kian that evening spoke about him as happy and smiling and I hope that is the way you remember him.”
