A local Abercarn hero who risked his life has passed away
Tristram was a much-loved figure in the Abercarn community and a loving father who leaves behind two young daughters, Olivia and Grace Maggs 15 and 14.
He was better known by his nickname 'Tigger' which was given to him by his older sister Kristian Edwards when they were children.
Tigger playing rugby as part of Abercarn RFC (Image: Kris Edwards) Tributes for Tigger have flooded in including a tribute from the woman whose life he saved back in 2010.
On April 29, 2010, Lousie Whittaker lost control of her car whilst driving near Risca.
During the crash Lousie's car rolled down a banking and caught on fire.
Lousie was left trapped inside her car with no way to get out.
Tigger with his family Kris Edwards, Carlie Griffiths , Grace Maggs, Olivia Maggs, Ben Edwards, Isabel Edwards and Simon Edwards (Image: Kris Edwards) Speaking of that day the 36-year-old said: 'It was awful, I just remember being trapped in the car that was crushed and the only window I could get out of was the passenger window and when I tried to get through that I was stuck.'
Luckily for Lousie Tigger arrived.
'He basically could see I was stuck and tried everything to get me out.
'I didn't think I was getting out and at first, I was like I don't want to die then I looked at him and said you're going to have to leave me and Tigger said 'we aren't leaving don't you dare give up'.'
Tigger with his father Kelvin Maggs (Image: Kris Edwards) Thankfully, more onlookers arrived at the scene and locals were able to move the car so Louise could escape.
She said: 'They managed to push the car up and someone pulled me out and carried me away. The car just started going up and the flames engulfed the car.
'I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him, and I just want his family to know what an amazing man he was.
'It's surreal because he saved my life and he's not here it doesn't seem fair.'
Louise Whittaker who was saved by Tigger (Image: Lousie Whittaker) More than three hundred people attended Tigger's funeral which locals helped fund via a GoFundMe page.
The GoFundMe reads: 'If you knew Tigger, you'd know that he was an amazing man.
'He would always have the biggest smile and warmest heart. He would give his last to anyone who needed it.'
A staggering £2,890 was raised for Tigger's funeral.
He will be deeply missed by the Abercarn community.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
8 hours ago
- ITV News
Driver in court charged over death of 13-year-old who died in Swafield crash
A driver has appeared in court charged with killing a teenage cyclist in a rural village. A white Ford Ranger hit 13-year-old Alfie Brown in Swafield, near North Walsham, Norfolk, on 10 August 2023. The schoolboy died at the scene from his injuries. James Durham, 54, appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Durham, of Mundesley in Norfolk, spoke only to confirm his personal details and was not asked to enter a plea to the charge. Police said that a man in his 50s was previously arrested and taken into custody on the day of the incident, nearly two years ago. The force said that the arrest was on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. The man was later released under investigation. A GoFundMe page set up by Alfie's family for his funeral raised more than £15,000. His aunt Emma Brown described the youngster as an "adventurous, intelligent, beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him". "Alfie loved riding his bike, playing the guitar and learning new things," she added. District Judge Matthew Bone sent the case to Crown Court and bailed the defendant until a plea hearing on 29 August.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tiny dog's intestines left hanging out on street in 'worst ever' attack
EXCLUSIVE: A tiny dog was fighting for her life after she was 'viciously attacked' in the street by a much bigger breed previously described as being like an XL bully 'on steroids' A tiny dog was left with its organs exposed during an innocent dog walk after a horrific attack by a suspected Cane Corso-type breed that was the worst vets had ever seen. Leila Williams, 41, an operations manager for the NHS, and her 4kg dog Luna, a Jackapoo, were strolling along George Street in Brighton on June 29. But the owner had no idea the area would soon look like a 'crime scene' and her pet would be left bleeding heavily with a severed kidney and her organs exposed. She claimed a huge dog leapt out of a shop before 'viciously attacking' her pet who somehow survived the onslaught – but only just. Lynn Heasman, who is friends with Leila and is Luna's dog walker, has started a GoFundMe to help with hefty vet fees. Explaining the dangerous dog incident, she said: 'The dog locked its jaws around Luna as bystanders looked on in horror. Leila screamed for help. 'Luna was critically injured and bleeding heavily. Her internal organs were exposed. Her renal artery had been torn. The street looked like a crime scene.' And remembering in her own words, Leila, who is based in Brighton, told the Mirror: 'Absolutely terrified… We had no warning. He didn't seek to interact with her, just went straight to bite her. Her tiny body was dwarfed by this 40kg cross breed dog. 'I had her lead looped around my left wrist as we walked along a road in central Brighton to go and meet a friend. So I was connected to Luna the whole time she was being attacked, right at my feet, it happened so quickly I couldn't get between them. I was absolutely powerless to stop this dog trying to kill her. 'The attack has left me with post traumatic stress and has sadly made me nervous of walking Luna around other dogs now that she is well enough to do so. It has sucked out all the joy I used to get from our walks together.' Luna, who is five, was left looking lifeless. Leila said a kind couple drove them to Coastway Vets in a desperate bid to keep her alive after the attacking dog was eventually pulled away by their owner. Vets were left 'horrified' by what greeted them after Luna arrived with a large bite mark, exposed intestines, a severed kidney floating in her abdomen and internal bleeding from the ruptured artery and crush injuries. According to Leila, the vets said it was the 'worst dog attack they had ever seen'. She was rushed into emergency surgery but halfway through the team rang Leila to say the damage was 'more extensive than first thought'. Leila had to decide whether to keep going, and without hesitation she asked them to do everything they could. It proved to be the right call. Her friend Lynn said: 'It was touch and go. No one thought Luna would survive the night. The next day she not only woke up but she wagged her tail. Against all odds, Luna was fighting back. Her spirit and resilience stunned the vet team and gave Leila hope.' With each day, care costs rose, and Leila eventually learned that her pet insurance would only cover £2,500, and her current vet bill is over £7,500. A GoFundMe has now been set up to help with Luna's life-saving treatment and writing on the page, Lynn said: 'Leila is unbelievably grateful to Coastway Vets, Kemptown and the kind strangers who helped that day. Without them, Luna would not be here. We hope this community-powered platform can help ease some of the financial pressure, so Leila can focus fully on Luna's recovery. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.' Leila said her dog's recovery was 'nothing short of miraculous' and she has been utterly overwhelmed by the response so far, with over 100 people making donations. She added: 'I am genuinely so touched that people are prepared to help in such a kind way. It has restored my faith in society. 'I am also so grateful to the couple that drove me to the vets, and to Coastway vets in Kemptown who saved Luna's life.' Luna is now recovering at home after a seven night stay in the vets, but she needs ongoing care because of the loss of one of her kidneys. Leila said a police investigation is underway and she wants to one day see a change in the law that makes dog on dog injuries easier to prosecute as a criminal offence. A spokesperson for Sussex Police told us: 'Police are investigating an incident where a dog is reported to have attacked another dog in George Street, Brighton, on Sunday, 29 June. A Jack Russell / Toy Poodle cross suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a dog, believed to be a Cane Corso-type breed. 'Officers have engaged with the victim, the owner of the aggressor dog - who lives in South London – and witnesses to understand the full circumstances. The investigation is ongoing at this time.' There has been a spike of interest in Cane Corsos because of XL bully ownership restrictions, and Rob Alleyne, who runs the Canine Instructor Academy in Suffolk, warned: 'The Cane Corso is like an XL bully on steroids. It's a killing machine and they've become much more popular now.'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It was truly traumatic': Belfast hairdresser detained by immigration officers in US returns home
A Belfast man has described his experience in an ICE detention centre in the USA as 'truly traumatic', after a GoFundMe was set up by his family in a bid to help get his 'life back on track'. Setting up the fundraiser earlier this month, Lee Stinton's mother Elaine said she was asking the public's help in order to cover legal fees and to help her son who is 'starting over with nothing' after returning home. So far over £5,000 has been raised for the man originally from Belfast, after the 46-year-old hairdresser had been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 12. 'He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him' Working as a hair stylist in Key West, Florida, for six years, Lee was stopped on his e-bike by police while on his way to work. His father, Edward told Good Morning Ulster last month that he was on a working visa at the time of his arrest, and was on his way to get a Green Card. His father recounted how the family were initially unsure as to how his son was stopped by police. 'He was going to work as normal on Thursday on his e-bike and he went through, or didn't go through – we're not sure of that yet - a stop sign', he told the programme. Not having his immigration papers to hand, he was then taken to Krome Detention Centre. Giving supporters an update on the fundraising page earlier this week, Lee explained he is 'so thankful for everyone's support and help'. "We are just over halfway to our goal if you guys could continue to share on social media it would be greatly appreciated,' he wrote. "Reaching this goal will help me not only get the help and funds I need to pay legal fees and start life over, but also help me get reunited with my little dog, although the costs are high to sort everything out like veterinary stuff, pet passport, pet travel etc, it will go a long way to helping me recover and heal from this truly traumatic experience. "Again thank you if you donated already. "Every donation big or small helps so much.' The former British Hairdresser of The Year left his home for Florida over six years ago after marrying his US-born husband. Setting up the campaign, his mum said he has been left 'starting over with nothing' following his return from the USA. 'Your continued support and help is more important than ever. post release. He is home with only the clothes he had on the day ICE took him,' she wrote. 'He is now having to have a lot of medical attention physical and mentally he is extremely unstable and extremely underweight it will take a long time for him to heal. 'We as a family are struggling financially to meet the raising costs. Everything we are doing for our son Lee costs an astronomical amount of money. 'Any help we can receive would still be greatly appreciated. To help him get his life back on track.' The 46-year-old is a 'valued member' of the Key West community, according to a petition set up by locals to campaign for Lee's release. The petition said he has been 'earning the trust and respect of colleagues, customers, and supervisors and has been a tax-paying member of the community since 2019'. It adds that Lee's detention has 'caused significant hardship to his family, friends, and our community. As residents of Key West, we rely on each other for support, and the absence of Lee has left a noticeable gap in our daily lives. Lee poses no danger to our community and has no criminal history.' Lee is one of tens of thousands detained by immigration authorities following Donald Trump's vow to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the US. Among those detained have been New York City's mayoral candidate Brad Lander and one of the world's biggest TikTok stars, Khaby Lame.
