An expectant 20-year-old father sustained fatal injuries just half an hour after finding out the gender of his unborn baby.
Ben Cann, from the UK, had discovered that he was expecting a baby in December, and he wanted to share his excitement with his family so organized a gender reveal party.
His loved ones gathered on July 2 where they witnessed Ben and his partner pop a balloon that revealed they were having a baby girl.
Sadly, just 30 minutes after the exciting reveal, Ben was involved in a two-vehicle collision and was rushed to the hospital. He tragically passed away from his injuries on July 24, around three weeks after the incident.
Ben's mother informed the Chronicle Live that he left the gender reveal around 20 minutes before the crash, stating that he was the life of the party and was having a great day.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for the family in order to give Ben a good send-off.
The page credits Ben as someone who tried "his best at absolutely everything in life," including passing his driving test during the pandemic, and was on his way to qualifying as a carpenter.
The fundraising page went on: "Ben has a beautiful little princess on the way we all know he would of made the most perfect daddy anyone could of wished for, he was beaming with pride popping that balloon seeing he was having a little girl surrounded by the most loving family.
"Many people loved Ben and new he’d do absolutely anything to help anyone. Now it’s our time to take pressure from Bens family and show how much he was loved by us all. Let’s give Ben the most amazing send off which he deserves."
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has gained £2,950 ($3,780) from an intended target of £4,000 ($5,100).
Ben's mother has expressed how popular her son was, signified by the number of flowers and cards that have been sent in the wake of his tragic passing.
Those who knew Ben are sharing their tributes on social media, as one person wrote: "Rest easy young man, I’ve [known] Ben since he was a young baby boy and the Cann family since I moved to Dudley many moons ago and I can feel what the family is going through at this time. So I send my love to each and everyone of you’s may his life live forever on in our hearts [sic]."
Sergeant Dave Roberts from Northumbria Police's Motor Patrols Department expressed his sadness at the loss of Ben's life, particularly given the circumstances that he was young and was due to become a father.
Investigations into the collision are ongoing, and police have urged anybody with information to come forward.
Those with information should call 101 quoting log NP-20230702-0702 or head to Northumbria Police's website.