Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Ashlie Blakey

Hundreds turn up at car meet to remember crash victim Sophie Smith - one year on from her death

One year on from the tragic night 19-year-old Sophie Smith died, her family and friends miss her more than ever.

They said it has been the "worst year of their lives" since she was killed in a devastating car crash.

In May last year, Sophie and her boyfriend Jordan Chidgey had spent the evening at a car meet on Europa Way on Trafford Park.

The pair went with their friends who all shared the same passion for cars - they had no idea how that evening would end.

The couple, and five other victims, were hit by a high-powered 330-series BMW.

It was being driven by 25-year-old Scott Watkins who had no licence and no insurance.

He attempted to perform a dangerous 'drift' manoeuvre around a roundabout but it ended with catastrophic consequences.

Sophie and Jordan were taken to hospital with multiple serious injuries where Sophie, from Bury, sadly died the following day .

Hundreds of cars gathered at the event in Sophie's memory (ABNM Photography)

Watkins was sentenced to nine years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving in August of last year.

At in inquest into Sophie's death, her family heard how the car meet was unauthorised and involved some illegal 'cruising'.

So today, they organised a safe and planned meet to show car enthusiasts the right way to enjoy what they love.

Hundreds of cars gathered at the City Airport and Heliport in Salford in Sophie's honour.

The 'Stay Static for Sophie' event attracted car enthusiasts from across the region.

Owners proudly displayed their static cars of all different shapes, sizes and colours at the meet.

Sophie's Clio has been transformed into her dream car (ABNM Photography)

But the star of the show was Sophie's Renault Clio.

Since her death, it has been transformed into her 'dream car'.

It's been professionally wrapped by WrapzUK and tailored to look exactly how she would have wanted it to.

Jordan Chidgey said he was amazed at how many people had turned up to show their support.

Sophie's family and friends at the event. L-R Jordan Chidgey, Delia Uifalusi, Lee Smith, Sue Patel, Harish Patel, Sarah van Der Merwe and Chris Redman (ABNM Photography)

He added: "It's just how I wanted it. There's people out there doing this the wrong way.

"And this is promoting doing it the right way.

"After everything that's happened with my girlfriend Soph, it's only right that we do it the right way.

"There's a very few minority in the car scene that ruin it for everybody but we are just a big massive family at the end of the day."

Cars lined up at the static car meet at the City Airport and Heliport in Salford (ABNM Photography)

Sophie's step-father Harish Patel and her cousin Sarah Van Der Merwe helped organise the event, as well as a number of her friends.

Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Fire and Rescue attended to talk to people about road safety.

Drivers were asked to make donation to charity as they arrived.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.