Kind shop workers raise cash for Nick's family after quad bike crash

Staff at the family's local shop - the One Stop in Brickfields Road, Worcester - have set up a collection for the family of Nick Ferrier who remains critical but stable in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Mr Ferrier suffered serious head injury following the accident in Green Lane, Rainbow Hill, Worcester at around 10am on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was flown to the trauma unit at the QE by air ambulance after he struck two cars while riding the bike and was thrown into a gate post, suffering serious head injuries.

One Stop shift manager Lynsey Band, aged 29, said she spoke to Mr Ferrier's mum, Janie Ferrier, on Wednesday when she saw a copy of the Worcester News and became very emotional, telling Miss Band 'that's my boy'.

Miss Band said: "I said to her 'I'm so sorry'. I could not sleep that night. It played on my mind. It makes you realise - I was having a a bad night but it can't be as bad as what she is going through."

Store manager Sabrina Day, who has worked at the One Stop in Worcester for the last 15 years, said it was then that Miss Band decided to set up the collection bucket on the till.

All 13 members of staff at the store wanted to do something for Nick and have donated as have customers.

Miss Day said Mr Ferrier had lived in the area for some time and is a 'good kid' and that his mum had been into the shop on Thursday and had been overwhelmed to see the collection tin for her son.

She said: "His family members have worked for One Stop and his mum uses the store on a daily basis and where the accident happened was just up the road.

"We wanted to support his mum and his family through a tough time really."

Miss Day said when they had raised enough money they hoped to give the money to Mr Ferrier's mum and they hope it might help cover the cost of her journeys to and from the hospital.

So far they have collected £30 but hope they can raise more. There is a picture of him on the collection bucket, cut from the Worcester News.

She added: "It's to say 'look, we're thinking of you and we just want to help out - we want to support you'.

"She (Nick's mum) is part of the community. We're part of the community. That is when you pull together.

"Nick's mum was overwhelmed by what she saw. She did get quite upset but she was really over the moon we were doing something like that.

"A lot of us - we have all got children. It is heart-breaking for her.

"If we can make a little money to help her in any way whatsoever then we will do that. It lets her know we're thinking of her and her family."

She said a local store was more than where people just brought their bread and milk and it was about being part of the community.

Janie Ferrier said her son Nick was a 'fighter'. She has been at his bedside since the accident.

She told the Worcester News today: "He is still critical but he is stable and comfortable. They will be trying to wake him over next day or two.

One Stop in Brickfields are doing a collection for him. I am just so overwhelmed by all the support."

Police have now issued a fresh statement calling for witnesses to come forward so they can build a clearer picture of what happened.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "The rider remains at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a critical condition."

T/Sgt Lee Baker, the investigating officer, said: "West Mercia Police would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the lengthy period that Green Lane was closed on Sunday, March 22.

"This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

"I would like to thank the large number of people who have taken the time to contact us to provide information."

If anyone believes they have any further information that would assist the investigation they can call 101, quoting incident 238-S-220315.