A GRIEVING mum has told of her family’s turmoil after tragically losing a second child.
Mel Gibson’s son, Jayson, died after being involved in a collision close to the Knowledge Gateway junction, on the A133, in February.
He had been cycling to see a friend after completing his Saturday morning chores.
The popular 15-year-old’s ashes were buried alongside Miss Gibson’s only daughter, Kelly, who died from sudden infant death syndrome in February 1988.
Mrs Gibson, who was too upset and too shocked to speak publicly until now, described Colchester Academy pupil Jayson as very loving, quirky and very quiet.
She added: “He loved to learn and ask plenty of questions.
“He had a plan to go to Cambridge University and be a major scientist - he was a bit of a geek.”
Jayson had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3 hypermobility and also received regular checks for marfanoid body habitus, for which he wore orthotics in his shoes.
The conditions meant he could not play any contact sports.
Mrs Gibson, who is a full time carer to her 26-year-old son, added: “He knew he had limits on what he could do.”
A man behind the wheel of the Vauxhall Astra which collided with Jayson’s bike was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.
He had been released on bail until June but will now face no further action.
Mrs Gibson said police investigations have concluded Jayson had attempted to cross the road while traffic had a green light but she says she cannot believe it.
The mum-of-seven added: “To know that someone so careful and who took pride in not breaking rules and wasn’t confident on the road with his bike apparently crossed a dual carriageway on a green light - I just don’t believe it.
“My family has been torn apart by this.
“Losing him has left a massive hole in our family and a physical pain in my heart.
“As a family we are trying to cope but I can’t even bear to cook, I can’t sleep without medication, I can’t even stand going shopping and I can barely eat.”
Jayson shared a room in his Greenstead home with his younger brother, Tommy, who turned 14 just a week after Jayson died.
Their mum added: “Removing his items of clothing and changing his joint bedroom into a single one has been excruciating.
“Jayson and Tommy were brought up like twins and with only 15 months between them, they always shared a room.”
Mrs Gibson also said she now feared she may never find out what caused Jayson death and appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident but had not yet spoken to police to come forward.
She said: “I would still say to people who saw the accident and didn’t get questioned or gave a statement to come forward - no matter what they saw.
“I know people did witness it and they tried to save our Jayson and I thank them.
“It’s nice to know he wasn’t alone at the very end.
“Laying his ashes at the bottom of Kelly’s grave crucified me.
“Losing my first and sixth children - I can’t explain how this feels as a mum.
“I can’t imagine a future without Jayson and I can’t stand watching my sons hurt the way they do.
“I feel utterly helpless and we have no idea what we will do without him.
“I am dreading his 16th birthday in November as well as Christmas.”
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