Motorcyclists honour dead biker with funeral procession through 1066 country

Danny Overy, of Castle Gardens, Mountfield, died after crashing into a Ford Fiesta on B2096 Kane Hythe Road on Saturday, May 14.

The 22-year-old’s mother Anne Overy lead the procession which started at his home, before passing the crash site and Claverham Community College where Danny went to school.

The riders then came through Battle down the high street and onto Hastings Crematorium where even more of Danny’s friends and family would be waiting.

All the bikers wore armbands with Danny’s nickname, Ditch, and revved and burned out their motorcycles in honour of the labourer.

Close friend Ricky Bates led their biking group South Side Crew into the procession and told the Observer beforehand that Danny would be sorely missed.

“Danny was a really big character, everyone loved him, he was a bit of a crazy lad,” he said.

“He got the nickname Ditch on one of our first ever rides by missing a corner, breaking too hard.

“He flew off his bike and landed in a ditch with his legs and wheels in the air.”

One of the police community support officers who stopped the cars to let the bikers out was nearly in tears afterwards saying it was the first time his job had ever got to him.

Ben Carson knew Danny through working at British Gypsum in Robertsbridge and still could not believe Danny was dead.

“I’ve lost three biker friends in eight months but Danny was the closest of them all,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable that he’s gone.”

Ben said his biking group One3 helped set up a JustGiving page to raise money for Anne as her husband had also died in a bike accident.

The page raised around £1,000 in four days

Danny’s boss at Seaport Engineers Steve Gornall said his death has left a big hole in the company after three years as an employee and is missed by everyone.

“He pretty much did everything, he worked very hard and if you go to the crematorium you’ll see how well thought of he was,” Steve said.

“Danny always had a smile on his face and was always happy – he made the place a little bit brighter.

“[Danny’s death] hurt our company and it’s hurt everyone, what else can you say, he was so young and had his whole life in front of him, it’s shocking.”

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