Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid offered a moving and heartfelt message of sympathy during an emotional interview with a mother whose teenage son was killed in a devastating car accident.
A Mother's Grief and a Campaign for Change
On Tuesday, 6 January, Reid and co-host Ed Balls spoke to Crystal Owen on the ITV breakfast programme. Her son, 17-year-old Harvey Owen, was one of four young people who lost their lives in November 2023 when the car they were travelling in left the road and overturned.
"It doesn't get any easier," Susanna told the grieving mother, before suggesting a way to channel the enduring pain. "One of the ways that you can focus all of the pain that you continue to experience is to try and campaign to make other young people safe when they get into a car."
The show aired a report detailing the tragic incident. Harvey and his three friends, all from Shropshire, were heading to Snowdonia National Park for a camping trip. On a bend, the vehicle lost control, veered into a ditch and became partially submerged in water. After a two-day search when the group failed to return home, all four teenagers were found deceased in the car, having drowned.
The Push for Tougher Young Driver Laws
Since the tragedy, Crystal Owen has become a passionate campaigner for stricter regulations governing newly qualified young drivers. During the interview, Susanna Reid highlighted a key detail: the driver at the wheel had passed his test only six months prior to the accident.
"Yeah I mean I was obviously unaware that Harvey even had a friend who was of driving age," Crystal explained. "Harvey just left school and this boy was a year older. He'd just met him in college. And this is a scenario that could happen with any parent really."
She emphasised the challenges parents face, stating, "All teenagers twist the truth sometimes to be able to do what they want to do. And you can bring your child up as best as you can but you're never going to win against a car full of friends."
Specific Demands for Safer Roads
Crystal outlined the specific legislative changes she is fighting for, which align with campaigns reported by Wales Online. These include:
- An extended provisional period for newly qualified drivers.
- Restrictions on the number of young passengers a new driver can carry without an adult present.
"My son, you know, from one tiny mistake getting into a car with a young driver has paid the ultimate price," she said. "He's lost his life."
Visibly moved by the mother's powerful testimony, Susanna Reid acknowledged its impact. "I know how hard it is for you, Crystal, it's a tough time for you," she said, expressing her hope that the message would resonate deeply with viewers across the UK.
