The family of a 17-year-old boy from Biggin Hill who was killed in a tragic motorbike crash last Sunday (June 9) have paid tribute to the ‘amazing,’ and ‘kind’ teenager. Vincent Thompson has been described as “the best big brother and son anyone could ask for” by his devastated mum Lisa.
Vincent was found injured by an off-duty police officer in Main Road, Biggin Hill with another injured teenage boy at about 11.55pm. Vincent was sadly pronounced dead at the scene, on the outskirts of Bromley, while the other boy was taken to hospital. Floral tributes were left at the roadside and family friend Louise Killick has set up a GoFundMe page for Vincent’s family to help them with funeral costs
Lisa said Vincent made her “proud every day he was here and I’m still so proud he was my son.” When asked what her son was like she said: “F****** amazing, kind, honest, thoughtful, funny and the best big brother and son anyone could ask for.”
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Vincent used to enjoy fishing with his dad in his spare time and loved surrounding himself with his friends, Lisa said. He was also an avid Bromley FC supporter and went to their recent National League final at Wembley Stadium where they beat Solihull Moors in a dramatic penalty shootout.
“He was also helpful to all his neighbours – cutting their grass etc,” Lisa said, “He loved animals, he was like Dr Dolittle.”
When he was younger, Vincent went to Stuart Fleming Primary School in Penge and then moved to Oaklands Primary in Biggin Hill in Year 6 when the family moved there. From there he went to Charles Darwin School and finally moved to Bromley Trust Academy from Year 10.
“He passed all his GCSEs due to the incredible amount of love and support from Bromley Trust Academy. That school brought out the best in Vince,” Lisa said, “He was currently studying level 1 plumbing, he had a job at the local carpet shop and had two recent offers of work with local companies.”
Some of the achievement that Lisa was proud of Vincent for was a DJ qualification, a Level 2 qualification in team leading, Level 2 in functional skills and a Level 2 in cooking which he stayed after school at Bromley Trust Academy to complete. All of these were done at Bromley Trust Academy, Lisa said. Lisa was also proud of his Level 1 plumbing training he was undertaking.
Louis Killick, who set up the GoFundMe page, knew Vincent since he was in Year 7 at school. She said: “He was just a beautiful, helpful, loving boy.” Adding: “He was well mannered, he’d help anyone out, he stopped and talked to people. Everyone in the community will tell you exactly the same thing. He was just genuinely a one-in-a-million kid.”
When asked why she started the page, Louise became emotional and said: “No one expects to lose a child at 17. It’s hard for them, I couldn’t imagine what they’re going through.” She added: “I just thought that something like this would not take anything away but sort of ease the pressure for them.”
Lisa spoke about how the support from the community through the fundraiser had made her feel. She said: “The support and love is genuinely getting us through. Seeing how loved my son was and touched everyone’s heart is giving me the strength each day.”
Vincent’s death is currently under investigation by the police and it is not yet known when his funeral will be. The GoFundMe page has raised ÂŁ5,713 at the time of writing this from 201 donations. This has been raised in just five days. To help support Vincent’s family through the fundraiser click here.
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