Tragedy as 'ecstatic' dad-to-be dies just half an hour after gender reveal party

28 July 2023 , 19:51

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Ben Cann pictured at his baby's gender reveal party 30 minutes before the crash (Image: Dani Cann)

A young dad-to-be had discovered the gender of his unborn child just 30 minutes he was involved in a fatal car crash.

Ben Cann, 20, was "ecstatic" to learn that he was expecting a baby girl in December and chose to share the special moment with his family at a gender reveal party on Sunday, July 2. Surrounded by his loved ones, Ben popped a balloon to reveal pink confetti, which signified that he was expecting a little girl.

But just 30 minutes later, the 20-year-old was involved in a two-vehicle collision on Northumbrian Way, in Killingworth. He sadly died in hospital on Monday, July 24 – three weeks after the collision occurred.

Ben's mum Judith Cann, said: "When he popped the balloon and found out that he was having a girl he was ecstatic. I got the moment on video. He had left his gender reveal 20 minutes before the crash."

Judith, from Dudley, added: "Ben was never a party person, but he loved that day. He had the best day and had the biggest smile on his face. The one thing we can all say as a family is that we all got hugs and love and smiles and the best time with him on that day."

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Ben was the youngest of seven siblings and is described by his mum as an "absolute diamond" who was "loved by everybody", reports Chronicle Live.

Ben at the gender reveal before being involved in the fatal car crash

In a tribute to her son, Judith said: "I could go on for the rest of my life telling you what I thought about Ben. He was an absolute diamond and all his friends say that if any of them needed him he was always there."

She added: "He put his heart and soul into everything he did. He learned to drive in the worst time possible because it was in the pandemic. He struggled to find a driving instructor and couldn't get his test booked in very easily, but he did it.

"He went out to work every morning at 6.30am to go and do his carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, which he was three months away from being fully qualified in. He loved football and when he was younger he played for the local team. He also did karate. He stopped because of his apprenticeship but he still managed to get to a brown belt."

Since Ben passed away, Judith said her living room has been filled with flowers and cards from people who loved Ben, reflecting how popular he was with people. Friend of the family Alexandra Farrell has also set up a GoFundMe page in his memory, in the hope of supporting his family during this difficult time and helping to give Ben "the most amazing send-off".

Ben was "ecstatic" to learn that he was expecting a baby girl in December

In less than 12 hours, the fundraiser had raised £1,700 from people in his local community. Writing on the GoFundMe page, Alexandra said: "As we all know many of our hearts shattered on Monday 24th July 2023 after losing the most beautiful, kind and caring young man Ben.

She added: "Ben has a beautiful little princess on the way we all know he would of made the most perfect daddy anyone could of wished for, he was beaming with pride popping that balloon seeing he was having a little girl surrounded by the most loving family.

"Many people loved Ben and knew he'd do absolutely anything to help anyone. Now it's our time to take pressure from Ben's family and show how much he was loved by us all. Let's give Ben the most amazing send off which he deserves."

Anyone wishing to donate to the GoFundMe page in Ben's memory can do so via this link. Police are continuing to investigate the collision and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Sergeant Dave Roberts, of Northumbria Police Motor Patrols Department, said: "This is absolutely awful news and all our thoughts remain with Ben’s loved ones as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened. Any death on our roads is a tragedy, but it is always especially poignant when it involves a young person with their full life ahead of them – and with so much to look forward to, given he was due to become a father for the first time.

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"We are continuing to carry out enquiries into the collision as we look to give Ben’s family the answers they deserve. I’d like to thank those who have already come forward to assist our investigation, and would ask anybody who has information – and has yet to get in touch – to do so as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230702-0702.

Nicole Goodwin