‘I love you and always will’: Man’s final text sent to his girlfriend before taking his own life

The tragic final text message sent by a man to his girlfriend just before he killed himself by crashing into a barrier on the M6 ​​said ‘I love you and always will’.

Alex Tyson, 19, died instantly after crashing his Ford Fiesta into a guardrail on the slip road at Junction 31 near Samlesbury, Lancashire, on Sunday 4 September last year.

The 19-year-old died instantly on impact after deliberately positioning his car and aiming at the barrier before accelerating to 140 mph and crashing, an inquest found on Thursday.

Moments before, he had texted his girlfriend saying, “I love you and always will… I’m on the highway… see you in the next life and goodbye.”

His concerned partner then contacted his sister Ellie, who used the Find My iPhone app to track her brother’s location.

Alex’s father and taxi driver, Peter Tyson, hurried over the M6 ​​at Junction 31a before turning onto the slip road at Junction 31.

Recalling the events leading up to his desperate journey to his son’s location, Peter recounted LancsLive“I went home and his car wasn’t in the driveway. I got a screenshot from Ellie from Find My iPhone that showed his phone was between the driveway and the roadway.

“I went home and told (Alex’s mother) Caroline what Ellie had said, but by that point he had been dead for half an hour. Then I went to junction 31a and headed south. There were no blues and twos and I thought ‘that’s good’.

“Then I got to Junction 31 and saw his car between the driveway and the lane. I jumped out and ran across the street with my phone as a flashlight, but he wasn’t in the car.

“I found him 20 meters from the car. Imagine – finding your own son dead.’

During the inquest, area coroner Chris Long concluded that Alex’s death was a suicide, but after the hearing Mr Tyson and his wife Caroline said they believed their son had been led to commit suicide due to reports of bullying.

Alex’s mother urged anyone “going through a crisis” to talk to family or close friends so that other parents don’t have to go through the same experience as her.

Mr. Tyson said, “We wake up every day with a wrecking ball through our lives.”

The 19-year-old died instantly in the collision after deliberately positioning his car and aiming it at the barrier before accelerating to 88 mph and crashing. Pictured: Alex when he was younger

Alex’s parents said their son had made plans for the future, having recently bought Coldplay tickets and booked a trip to Milan, which is why they think it was a “heat of the moment” that prompted him to leave his car to crash.

It was said that Alex was desperately trying to contact his girlfriend after they had an argument earlier in the evening.

Mr Tyson said Alex had ‘so much to live for and he loved life’ and that he was just three months away from completing his apprenticeship.

Growing up, Alex was an avid football fan and enjoyed “all sports,” his parents said. He was loved at school and teachers from both his elementary and high school attended his funeral.

Preston North End FC, where he used to coach a football team, held a tribute during the game against Burnley on September 13.

The club said on Twitter at the time: ‘Everyone at the club was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of PNE fan Alex Tyson aged just 19. Our thoughts are with all of Alex’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time. .’

His ‘biggest passion’ was Preston North End and had had a season ticket since he was a boy. He was involved with the fans’ group, Preston Supporters Collective, and ex-chairman Peter Ridsdale was one of many people who attended Alex’s funeral.

“He just loved sports,” his mother said.

“There is a hole in our lives that will never be filled and we miss it every day.”

For confidential support, call the Samaritans at 116123 or visit samaritans.org