BBC Morning Live Presenters Extend Sympathy to Bereaved Dudley Family
Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, the hosts of BBC's Morning Live, have expressed their profound condolences to the grieving parents of a teenager who tragically lost his life at an unauthorized street-cruising event. The emotional tribute aired during Monday's episode, focusing on the devastating impact of illegal car meets and the ongoing efforts to address this critical community safety issue.
Tragic Incident in Oldbury Claims Young Lives
Ben Corfield, aged 19, and Liberty Harris, just 16, both residents of Dudley, died after a vehicle collided with multiple pedestrians on the A457 Oldbury Road in Oldbury, West Midlands, on November 20, 2022. The driver responsible, Dhiya Al Maamoury, 56, from Solihull, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and received a sentence exceeding 13 years in prison in November 2024.
During the pre-recorded segment, former detective sergeant Marc Cananur interviewed Ben's parents, Damian and Lynette Corfield, who shared their heart-wrenching story and discussed the broader consequences of such dangerous gatherings.
Rising Concerns Over Illegal Car Meets Across the UK
Statistics reveal that more than 450 unauthorized car meets took place across the United Kingdom in 2024 alone. These events, often referred to as car cruises, involve drivers racing on public roads, frequently violating traffic laws and endangering everyone in the vicinity. Marc Cananur highlighted that these gatherings can attract up to 200 vehicles at once, featuring loud engine revving, booming music, and perilous high-speed racing at speeds of 100mph or more, causing significant disruption to local communities.
Ben's parents described their son as "a dream child" who had been elected to Dudley's youth parliament at the age of 15 after putting himself forward as a candidate. On the night of the tragedy, Ben told his parents he was "just popping out for an hour," but the couple later received a visit from two police officers in the early hours, revealing that their son and another young girl had been killed.
Ongoing Grief and Community Response
More than three years after the incident, an emotional Lynette confessed she is "barely surviving day to day," while Damian added, "you don't get a break from the fear and longing 24 hours a day." The segment also featured an interview with Sergeant Adrian Brown from West Midlands Police, one of the first officers on the scene, to explore measures being implemented to tackle illegal car cruises.
It was revealed that retired police officer Ben Pearson launched a legitimate, organized event called Cops and Cars four years ago, aiming to reduce road deaths and injuries by providing a safe alternative to dangerous gatherings.
Heartfelt Messages from Morning Live Hosts
Following the segment, Helen Skelton remarked, "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 Jones concluded with a sobering reminder, "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, continuing to address important community and safety issues through thoughtful discussions and interviews.
