Show of love for Stuart Price '˜great comfort' to his family at packed funeral

A funeral service was a sea of Sunderland strips as hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to a fan claimed in a horror smash.
Stuart Price, who died after he was knocked from his bike on Colliery Lane near Easington Lane.Stuart Price, who died after he was knocked from his bike on Colliery Lane near Easington Lane.
Stuart Price, who died after he was knocked from his bike on Colliery Lane near Easington Lane.

Cyclist Stuart Price died after a collision with a Jaguar on Colliery Lane near Easington Lane on Sunday, February 19.

The 24-year-old from Murton, who worked in the medical records department of Sunderland Royal Hospital, was a devoted Sunderland fan, with his friends and family turning out in red and white to his funeral at the request of his loved ones.

The funeral of Stuart Price at Holy Trinity Church, Murton, Image by  chroniclelive.co.uk.The funeral of Stuart Price at Holy Trinity Church, Murton, Image by  chroniclelive.co.uk.
The funeral of Stuart Price at Holy Trinity Church, Murton, Image by chroniclelive.co.uk.
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Holy Trinity Church in his home village seats 200 people, but double that packed into the church for his service, with hundreds left standing outside as they too attended to celebrate his life.

Three of Stuart’s friends addressed the church, while another wrote a piece to be read out, with tracks by one of his favourite band The Killers were played.

He was later laid to rest at a cemetery in the village.

The service was led by Reverend Alan Milne, vicar of Murton and rector of Hawthorn.

Sunderland shirts lie at the scene where cyclist Stuart Price died.Sunderland shirts lie at the scene where cyclist Stuart Price died.
Sunderland shirts lie at the scene where cyclist Stuart Price died.

He said: “It was certainly amongst the bigger turn outs I have seen and I have ministered here for over 20 years.

“It was a great comfort to his family.”

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Tributes have also been left at the scene of the crash, with a lantern release held at Murton Welfare Park in the days after as his friends and family gathered to show their love for Stuart.

Stuart leaves his mum Deborah Dobie, 52, and stepdad John, his dad Stuart and stepmum, Marion, sister Jade, 28, and her partner, Lee Bates, brother James, 22, and his partner Lauren, his nanna, Rita Bond, 77, and six step brothers and sisters.

The crash is being investigated by Northumbria Police.

Any witnesses, or anyone with any information that may help inquiries should contact officers on 101 quoting log 400 19/02/17.