The scene of a tragic road collision which killed 31-year-old Aaron Morris became the site of a "bittersweet" moment today as his pregnant wife returned to the area to discover the gender of their unborn twins.
Samantha Morris returned to Priestburn Close, in Esh Winning, where she last saw her husband alive to unveil the gender of their twins - a moment Aaron had eagerly anticipated after learning that his wife was pregnant shortly before he died.
The dad-of-three had been so excited about the pregnancy that he wanted to find out the gender during a scan and keep it a secret from his wife until a gender reveal party.
Read more: Tears flow as mourners pay their respects to 'true family man' Aaron Morris
He had hoped for two boys. And today that wish came true as his eldest children T-Jay, 14, and Ebony, 10, along with Samantha's daughter popped balloons to reveal blue confetti inside.
Samantha, from Esh Winning, said: "I want him to know [the gender] and this was the last place he was alive, so I thought this would be the best place to do it."
Aaron tragically died on Samantha's 28th birthday following a collision between a motorbike and a car on July 1. Samantha was one of the first people on the scene and tried her best to make Aaron comfortable while they waited for paramedics to arrive.
The couple had been due to travel to the Lake District that day to celebrate Samantha's birthday. She returned home following the collision to find the presents and card he had bought her, in which he wrote about how much he was looking forward to their future together.
Samantha said: "At least his children still live on. We'll have a birth even after his death which is quite unlucky, but lucky at the same time.
"He was going to be an amazing dad, but he taught me well and I'm a strong woman because of him."
As well as the gender reveal, Aaron and Samantha's family and friends hosted a memorial for Aaron in which they raised a glass of his favourite drink, Birra Moretti. His favourite song, Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender, also played as loved ones gathered at the site where Aaron's memorial flowers lay.
Some loved ones also released balloons in his memory with messages to Aaron attached to them.
As well as being a dad to T-Jay, 14, Ebony, 10, and Aurora, aged four, Aaron was a much-loved son to parents Michelle and Collin. He ran his own groundworks business and was also a keen sportsman from a young age, excelling in sports such as football and mixed martial arts.
Aaron had also earned himself a large following on TikTok, with almost half-a-million followers on his account. He had gained the respect of his followers by talking openly about mental health and supporting others.
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