Family’s sadness as Storm Babet sees tree crush 21-year-old’s memorial bench

The Peterculter seat was there to remember Russell Horne and pal Steven Reid who were killed in a car accident.

By Lindsay Bruce

October 25 2023, 2:30 pm

Before and after: A Culter memorial bench destroyed by damage from Storm Babet.

A Culter family are appealing for help after Storm Babet caused a tree to crush a beloved memorial bench commemorating two young people killed in a car accident.

Sally Wight, sister of Russell Horne, got in touch after discovering the special place where the family congregate to remember the late 21-year-old was completely destroyed.

“We have a friend who maintains the memorial bench for us, and he let us know that sadly, after nearly 20 years, the bench is no more.”

A place to remember, gone

There in memory of Russell and his friend Steven Reid, the seat is by the Dee on Lovers’ Walk, Culter.

It provided a place for the community, and family and friends, to honour the “two lovable lads”.

The plaque on the Culter memorial bench before Storm Babet destroyed it. — The boys passed away almost two decades ago but their bench was a place to remember them. <br />Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

The boys lost their lives when they got into a car with a third friend, Michael Mason. Michael, who didn’t have a driving licence, borrowed a car to head out from Peterculter to Banchory to see a girl.

The Vauxhall Vectra they were in crashed head on with a bus. It burst into flames on the A93 North Deeside Road, near Drumoak.

Picture shows Russell Horne on left and Steven Reid on the right. Both boys were memorialised on the seat until Storm Babet destroyed the memorial bench. — Russell Horne and Steven Reid as they appeared on the order of service of their joint funeral.

It was just minutes from Russell’s 22nd birthday.

Plea for help

Sally hopes Aberdeen City Council may help with the cost of replacing the bench. She believes damage may only have occurred because an already damaged tree hadn’t been moved out the way. As the storm persisted the tree shifted again, crushing the seat.

“We obviously know that it was a significant storm. Storm Babet caused damage all over the region. It’s just sad that we have lost one of the last memorials we have to Russell.”

Peterculter memorial bench destroyed by Storm Babet.

A friend of the family has emailed Aberdeen City Council on their behalf petitioning for help to replace the bench.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of a fallen tree beside the memorial bench. It will now be removed after the tree squad has completed priority clearance work following Storm Babet.

“Enquiries about memorial benches can be made to benches@aberdeencity.gov.uk. We would encourage the family to get in contact to provide more information.”