Around 200 vehicles in Finland honor memory of 15-year-old moped rider — YLE News
In the Finnish city of Varkaus, around 200 vehicles took part in a memorial ride in honor of a 15-year-old moped rider who died in a road accident last week. Young people travelled to the crash site in a convoy of mopeds, moped cars, motorcycles and cars.
According to YLE News, police ensured traffic safety during the event. Rainy weather reduced the number of participants on mopeds, but there were approximately 200 vehicles in the convoy overall. People also watched the procession along the streets, including young people, adults, families, grandmothers and grandfathers. The youngest participant was four years old.
Flowers and candles at the crash site
The ride ended near the crash site — at the intersection of Highway 23 and Relander Street in central Varkaus. Participants left flowers there and lit candles in memory of the deceased teenager.
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The 15-year-old moped rider died last Thursday after falling and ending up beneath an unloaded timber truck. Police assess that it was an accident, and the available information does not indicate any signs of a crime.
Youth initiative
The memorial event was organized at the initiative of young people. Ninth-grader Jone Nyyssönen, a classmate of the deceased, said the event was planned in a Snapchat group for Varkaus residents. Participants also urged drivers to drive safely and expressed condolences to the boy's relatives and friends.
The deceased studied at Waltterin koulu school in Varkaus. Earlier, at the students' request, schoolchildren visited the crash site; principal Teemu Mustanen estimated their number at 300–400 people. The city's youth services also took part in organizing the memorial ride.
