'Green Goodbye' - Mourners set off flares in tribute to Jarrow bike death teen Kurtis Stubbings
A cloud of green smoke billowed over the hearse carrying the body of teenager Kurtis Stubbings to his final resting place.
A South Tyneside teenager who died after a horror bike crash has been given an emotional send-off at his funeral – with green the colour of his family’s love and affection.
Kurtis Stubbings’ mum, dad and brother were among dozens of mourners who donned green clothing – the tragic youngster’s favourite shading.
All wore Newcastle United’s last season away strip tops, with his first name, the number 18 to represent his age, followed by ‘Forever’ on the back.
They were joined by close to 200 friends who included a pack of legal and non-legal rider bikers for his service at South Shields Crematorium.
In a mark of respect, the bikers gave a deafening fanfare tribute of revving engines as his hearse left after an hour-long double service on its way to burial at Jarrow Cemetery.
Kurtis, from Jarrow, was severely injured when his electronic motorbike collided with a car in Ellison Street, Jarrow, just after 5.30am on Monday, June 22.
His life support machine was turned off two days later but not before several of his organs had been donated.
As his funeral cortege arrived for a tear-filled one-hour double service at the crematorium, bikers let off green flares in his honour.
His life was then celebrated as one which brought joy to his loved ones, including his heartbroken mum Charlotte Wilson, 36, dad Scot Stubbings and brother Dylan, 16.
Both of his parents have spoken on social media about their devastating loss - and his mum had demanded any motorbiker who attended to wear a crash helmet.
Celebrant Chris May recalled Kurtis as a devoted friend to many, a keen bike rider and a well-liked member of the community.
Kurtis' service included several of his favourite songs, including See You Again by Wiz Khalifa, Seven Years Old by Lukas Graham, and Lost Without You by Freya Ridings.
And at the close, rapper 50 Cents’ track Hate It or Love It was played.
As bikers blocked off the dual carriageway John Reid Road to traffic flow, Kurtis' funeral cortege left for a last three-mile journey to burial in Jarrow.
Final eulogies were read at the graveside and singer Kyle Hume’s song If I Would Have Known, was played, before Kurtis was laid to rest in an American-style Innocence casket.
Ashleigh Prior, who led the service for family firm Jayne Prior Funeral Directors, said Kurtis’ funeral was deeply touching and had led to tears inside the packed crematorium.
She added: “Green was his favourite colour, and his family all wore that in their Newcastle United away tops.
“There was not a seat left inside the crematorium and his life was very well recalled.
“Chris talked about Kurtis as a likeable young man who had a very special bond with his family and who loved bikes.
“He spoke of how Kurtis was very close to his mum, dad and his brother Dylan, and how he had many friends.
“I must say this, and I know they get a lot of stick, but the people on the bikes were very respectful throughout the service.
“I know Charlotte personally and she had requested that if they attended the funeral, they were to wear helmets, and all did just that.”
A GoFundMe fundraising appeal, launched by family friend Ashlie McShane, has raised almost £12,000.