The devastated mother of a 25-year-old man fatally struck by a car after it mounted the pavement and ploughed into a crowd in central London has shared her pain at receiving ‘the worst call ever’.
Yasemin Akcajoca, 61, has spoken for the first time since the Christmas Day tragedy, which claimed the life of her son Aidan Chapman.
The ‘loving’ and ‘kind’ father-of-one died from his injuries on New Year’s Eve, six days after a Mercedes-Benz E-Class struck pedestrians on Shaftesbury Avenue, at around 12.45am on Christmas Day.
Account manager Ms Akcajoca, who lives in West London, said the family had all been together on Christmas Eve with friends who had flown in from Turkey and she had not wanted Aidan to leave.
Revealing how events could have been ‘so different’, she told Metro: ‘I did my best as a mother, I just wish I could have protected him. I didn’t want him to go out that night.
‘I said “stay in with us”- he was only supposed to be gone two hours, but he has gone forever.’
In the early hours of the morning, at around 4am, she recalled receiving a call from the hospital informing her that her son was in critical condition.
She was then taken by police escort to the hospital, but the young man never regained consciousness.
Devastated mother Yasemin Akcajoca, 61, has shared her pain at receiving ‘the worst call ever’ after Aidan Chapman, 25, was fatally struck by a car in central London
‘I didn’t want him to go out that night’: Ms Akcajoca said she wished Mr Chapman had stayed at home to see in Christmas Day with his family
His heartbroken mother detailed how she held his hand and spoke to him in those last days before he succumbed to his injuries.
Describing him as her ‘best friend’, Ms Akcajoca said his younger sister, 16, has been left equally bereft by the tragedy.
Mr Chapman also leaves behind a five-year-old son, Connor.
In the aftermath of the incident, his parents issued a statement speaking of their ‘utter devastation’.
They said: ‘The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare. We are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan.
‘He enriched everyone’s lives. He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.’
Anthony Gilheaney, 30, of Harlow in Essex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on December 27 charged with four counts of attempted murder.
He was also charged with causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified and possessing a knife in a public place, according to court documents.
In the aftermath of his death, Mr Chapman’s family said he was ‘a loving, kind, funny soul’
Gilheaney was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 24.
He is accused of causing serious injury to four pedestrians while driving a Mercedes-Benz E-Class on Shaftesbury Avenue whilst disqualified.
Gilheaney is also accused of having a small knife in Lincoln’s Inn Fields on the same day.
The Metropolitan Police said the existing charges will be reviewed by the court following the death of Mr Chapman.
The victim’s next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is now leading the investigation and Mr Chapman’s death is being treated as a homicide.
Previously, the force said officers were called at 12.45am after reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in the capital’s theatre district.
The police cordon stretched between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.
Aidan Chapman, 25, was seriously injured in the incident and died on New Year’s Eve
A car is seen speeding along Shaftesbury Avenue at the time of the incident on Christmas Day
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day
A further police cordon was on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street, covering the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues in the Soho area.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said today: ‘Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time.
‘My team are continuing to conduct enquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, however it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.
‘We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.’
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC quoting CAD 233/25DEC. Information, photos and footage can also be uploaded to Public Portal. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
Police officers at the scene on Christmas Day on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day
Police officers at the scene on Christmas Day on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End
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