The family of a Shropshire teenager have paid a moving tribute to their 'fiercely loyal protector', a young man whose life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver who had consumed eleven pints of cider.
Benjamin Worrall, aged just 17, died after being struck by a Range Rover while riding his motorbike on the A458 Welshpool Road in Shrewsbury. The fatal collision occurred in the early hours of October 1, 2023.
A Night of Reckless Drinking
The driver responsible, 29-year-old Danny Francis of Welshpool, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Francis had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by driving under the influence of alcohol.
The court was presented with a shocking account of Francis's actions on the night of September 30. He began his drinking session at a pub in Marton, where he consumed a pint of cider with a friend. Instead of stopping, Francis then made the fateful decision to get behind the wheel of his five-seater Range Rover Sport.
In an appalling display of disregard for the law and public safety, Francis proceeded to drive to eight more pubs, all while intoxicated. At one point, his vehicle was carrying as many as seven passengers. Receipts presented in court showed he spent £40 on shots and £21 on a round of drinks, with the total consumption amounting to eleven pints of cider and a shot of liquor.
The Fatal Collision and Its Aftermath
His final stop was a bar in Shrewsbury Town Centre, some 15 miles from where he started. After purchasing food at around 11:15 pm, Francis began driving himself and a friend home to Welshpool.
Tragedy struck at approximately 12:03 am on the A458 Welshpool Road, near Rowton Castle. While attempting to navigate a large pool of water, Francis lost control of his powerful vehicle, veering into the opposite carriageway.
He collided head-on with two motorcycles being ridden by Benjamin and his friend, Nathan. After leaving the road and coming to a stop in a hedge, Francis and his passenger fled the scene, leaving the victims behind.
Members of the public rushed to administer first aid to the two injured teenagers. Despite their best efforts, Benjamin was pronounced dead at the scene. His friend Nathan survived but sustained life-changing injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
A Family's Love for Their 'Unique' Ben
Following the sentencing, Benjamin's heartbroken family shared a powerful tribute, painting a picture of a beloved and charismatic young man with a bright future ahead of him.
They described Ben as a 'unique person' who was rarely seen without something on his head, 'normally a bucket'. He had particular passions for ducks, pumpkins, and most of all, motorbikes. He had saved up money from a paper round at age 12 to buy his first bike.
'Ben was fiercely loyal and a protector to his family and friends,' his family said. Despite being the youngest in his group, he was the one who looked after others, always carrying a rucksack with WD40 and duct tape for bike repairs during a ride.
He adored his little sister and was always there to help her. Academically and professionally driven, Ben had completed a college building course in just six months after his GCSEs and was working for his cousin, in a job he loved.
His family recalled his sense of humour, noting that he even invoiced his nan for helping to build a wall for her a week before he died. He was an 'old soul' who loved fishing, a good cup of Yorkshire Tea, and had recently started a new relationship with his girlfriend, Summer.
Benjamin had expressed a strong desire to be a father one day, dreaming of teaching his children the skills his own dad had taught him. His family concluded: 'We lost our son that night, but so many people were left with a Ben shaped hole in their lives... It wasn’t enough time with him; we should have had a lot more.'
