THE 20th anniversary of a 24 year old Rhyl sports coach’s death on a level crossing, will be commemorated by his father placing a rose at the site.

Andrew Deakin died when his car was struck by a train, which had just left Porthmadog station, at a level crossing in October 2000.

A memorial with a commemorative plaque to Andrew has been installed close to the crossing. The railway track was completely obscured by trees and buildings alongside the road.

John Deakin, Andrews father, who lives in Spruce Avenue, Rhyl, said: “Every year I go to the site at the level crossing and put a rose on the Memorial.

“A florist, Susan of Lili Wen, in Porthmadog, who had just started her business, was so moved she has insisted on giving me a rose every year, which I find deeply touching.”

“In the past a number of people, most of whom knew Andrew, have turned up at the memorial to mark the anniversary with me. I don’t know what will happen this year with social distancing, but I certainly intend to be there if I am allowed under the Covid rules. Andrew had lots of friends in Rhyl and Porthmadog who I know miss him as much as I do. He was full of charm and was very popular.

John added: “Andrew was a keen footballer and cricketer, he was a Vice Captain of Prestatyn Cricket Club, and was deeply committed to coaching youngsters. His friends at the Cricket Club raised more than £4,000 in his memory and now have the Andrew Deakin memorial scoreboard, bench and garden.

“He worked as a sports coach with Football in the Community in Porthmadog, helping youngsters to get NVQ qualifications as a step towards getting them into work. His boss told me subsequently he was doing so well, and they thought so highly of him, they were about to give him a massive pay rise. Apparently, in the time that he was with them, and pretty much down to him, they had gone from five to 95 employees.”

John, now retired, who used for work for Curry’s in Rhyl, added: “He had taken an NVQ assessor from Prestatyn to the office in Porthmadog and then on to the town’s football club to see youngsters under training at the club. Andrew left the assessor with them to drive back to the office in the town, that is when the accident happened. The crossing's gates had been taken away and there were no barriers at the time. After five years of campaigning by me and local councillors, Network Rail agreed to put barriers at the crossing. Since then the town’s bypass has been built and now you can’t get to the football club from the crossing, only from the bypass.”