Northern Ireland

More than £26,000 raised for NI Air Ambulance in memory of Co Derry crash victim (21)

Willis Vogel's sisters, Christa (left) and Rebecca, present the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance team with a cheque for £26,700 raised in memory of the 21-year-old
Willis Vogel's sisters, Christa (left) and Rebecca, present the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance team with a cheque for £26,700 raised in memory of the 21-year-old Willis Vogel's sisters, Christa (left) and Rebecca, present the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance team with a cheque for £26,700 raised in memory of the 21-year-old
By Marie Louise McConville

THE family of a 21-year-old man who died in a road collision have donated more than £26,000 to the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.

Willis Vogel, from Limavady, Co Derry, died on May 31 following a crash on the Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney in Co Tyrone.

His Kawaski motorcycle was involved in a collision with a black BMW X5 at around 11am.

The driver failed to stop and the vehicle was later found in Co Donegal.

A 33-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop, remain and report an accident and remains on police bail pending further inquiries.

Mr Vogel, a former student at Limavady High School who had recently started a job as a trainee engineer with Openreach, had been out for a ride with friends to Sligo and was returning home when the tragedy happened.

Willis Vogel, who was 21, died in a collision on the Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney in Co Tyrone on Sunday May 31
Willis Vogel, who was 21, died in a collision on the Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney in Co Tyrone on Sunday May 31 Willis Vogel, who was 21, died in a collision on the Meenacloy Road between Castlederg and Ederney in Co Tyrone on Sunday May 31

The air ambulance was dispatched but he died the scene.

Friends and family rallied together to raise funds in his memory and this week, the Vogel family presented the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance team with a cheque for £26,700.

His sister Rebecca said they had been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of people.

"Willis's friend, Alan-Lee, who was one of the boys with him at the time of the collision, started a JustGiving page," she said.

"Within 24 hours, we were way over the target. I think it had been set at £1,500 and there were also donations in cheques and cash and through the funeral director's and directly to us as a family.

"We are very overwhelmed and it really reflects how well thought of Willis was and how much everyone valued him. We are really proud to be able to donate that amount in his memory."

Rebecca said the Air Ambulance team were "absolutely delighted".

"It takes £2.2 million they need to raise a year in donations to keep maintaining their service," she said.

"They told us it works out £5,500 a day. What we have raised is amazing and they were grateful and thankful."

She added that her family feel the loss of Willis "every day".

"Every day we are just as heartbroken as the first day it happened but we are a strong family and we have great family and friends around us, supporting us and we are taking every day as it comes and living every day remembering him."