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Kristian Johnson

'Loyal husband' died in tragic car crash days before his first wedding anniversary

The family of a 'loyal husband' who died in a crash in south Leeds have said he missed out on celebrating his first wedding anniversary by a matter of days.

Matthew (Matty) Wilson, 26, was travelling in a VW Golf at 6.45am on Wednesday, June 26 when the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with two other cars on Bradford Road in East Ardsley.

Ian Broadhurst, 34, also lost his life, while three others - including a 17-year-old boy - were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Speaking ahead of her son's funeral, Mish Knapton, 49, said the occasion will be 'one big celebration', but admitted the last month has been the toughest of her life.

Matty was due to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife Lisa on July 11 - just two weeks after the fatal collision. It would have also been Matty's birthday a few days later.


On the day of his first wedding anniversary, Ms Knapton wrote: "What should have been my beautiful son and daughter-in-laws' first wedding anniversary, they have had their marriage stolen from them.

"Neither can celebrate five years, 10 years, 25 years, neither got the chance for even one, yes not even one year.

"The happiest day of both their lives, the smiling beam across Matty's face and how proud he was to have such a lovely young lady by his side says how happy he was.

"My promise to you my darlin' son is your lovely wife will be loved and looked after, just as you would have done."

A fundraising appeal has raised almost £1,000 towards Matty's upcoming funeral - which falls on the day before Ms Knapton's 50th birthday.

She told LeedsLive: "It's going to be one big celebration of his life, because all he ever wanted to do was to put a smile on people's faces."

People attending the funeral are being encouraged to wear red and white ribbons - the colours for Matty and Lisa's wedding in 2018.

Although it will undoubtedly be a sombre occasion, Ms Knapton promised that all the guests will be laughing by the end.

"If people don't come out [of the service] crying with laughter there's something wrong with them, because there are going to be so many funny stories," she said.

Inquests into the deaths of both Matty and Mr Broadhurst opened last week. They will resume at a later date.

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