Hundreds mourn loss of 'brave as a lion' Steven Moore (From Surrey Comet)

Hundreds mourn loss of 'brave as a lion' Steven Moore

5:30pm Friday 5th February 2010 in

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Friends and family led tearful tributes to Steven Moore who was killed when a car being chased by a police van ploughed into his vehicle.

More than 500 mourners packed into All Saint’s Church of England in Carshalton to listen to the service lead by Reverand John Thewlis this afternoon .

Father Gary Moore, 51, a haulage contractor, mother Jackie and their other son Daniel, 19, a university student, were comforted by friends as they sat in front of Mr Moore’s coffin.

After the first hymns were sung, five of his friends took the stand to deliver glowing dedications.

One friend said: “In 1942 a famous boxer called Muhammad Ali was born.

“He called himself the greatest, but he was wrong, because in 1984 my best mate was born and he was the greatest: his name was Steven Moore.

“He was the greatest, because he made time for everyone.

“He was the greatest, because he was as brave as a lion.

“He loved his mum, dad and Dan with all his heart. My heart is broken and your going will leave a gaping hole.

“In my eyes you are irreplaceable and will always be the greatest friend I have ever had.”

Mr Moore’s girlfriend Carly Lewin was comforted by Rev Thewlis as she wept at the altar and told how the pair had spoken of marriage.

She said: “You made me smile so much, winding me up all the time and just being you.

“You called me 15 minutes before [the crash] to tell me you missed me and how you couldn’t wait to see me the next morning...

“Neither of us had any idea that we would be split up that night through no fault of our own.

“The last thing you said was ‘Do you love me a little’, I said ‘No, I love you a lot’...

“I’m struggling to understand how life can be so cruel by taking away from us such a loyal, loving, person.

“Please don’t be scared and know that we are all there with you for the rest of your journey, I will never forget you.”

Mr Moore, 25, a former buyer for British Petroleum, died in hospital on Monday January 18 after suffering massive injuries in the crash the previous day.

The former Greenshaw High School student was sitting in the back seat of a Renault Clio on Wrythe Lane near the junction with Wrythe Green Lane, Carshalton, when a black Vauxhall Vectra being pursued by a marked police van smashed into it.

Speaking at the funeral, his brother Daniel then spoke of how “loving and caring” he was.

He said: “You won’t have to worry about protecting me anymore.

“I loved you so much. It feels like a nightmare I’m still trying to wake up from.”

You to Me Are Everything by by The Real Thing was later played, puncturing the sombre mood momentarily and following more tributes and prayers a friend of Mr Moore’s sang You Can Reach Me by Anita Baker.

At the end of the service friends of Mr Moore joined his father in carrying his coffin to the waiting hearse.

The two other passengers of the Clio - a female driver and her boyfriend, aged in their twenties, were all taken to a South London hospital and suffered minor injuries.

Officers from Hampton Traffic Garage are investigating the circumstances of the crash which caused Mr Moore’s death.

The driver of the Vectra, a 29-year-old man was arrested nearby has now been bailed till a date in May.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service and Directorate of Professional Standard are investigating the circumstances of any police involvement regarding the collision.

Leave your tributes to Mr Moore in the comments section below.