A BEREAVED father had to travel alone to the site where his son was killed as he marked 20 years since his death.

The sombre occasion took place on October 23 at Porthmadog Station.

Every year John Deakin, 73, travels to the station to lay a single rose to remember his son Andrew John Deakin; the keen footballer and cricketer from Rhyl was just 24-years-old when his car was struck by a train on the Traeth Mawr level crossing.

Covid put a stop to the memorial John had planned, which involved friends and family, and instead the former Curry’s worker ventured to the accident spot alone to reflect and speak to his son.

John said: “I was half expecting to be pulled over by police. I actually had an article from the Journal with me. I would have opened my window and shown it to the officer.

“Months ago I contacted Network Rail and said I was arranging a lot of friends and relations to come.

“It wasn’t the day it should have been. There was just me but I could be with him, I could talk to him.

Rhyl Journal:

A memorial with a commemorative plaque to Andrew has been installed close to the crossing

“It was very quiet and very subdued."

As a kind gesture, Susan Mary Owen, owner of Lili Wen Florist in Porthmadog, donated a rose for John to lay - a traditional she has done every year.

John added: “I said to Susan on the phone I was concerned about not being able to get there and she said: ‘John if you don’t turn up, I will take the rose myself.’ There are some amazing people. It refreshes your faith in human nature.

“I promised Andrew in my head I would be there every year for him and I have been up to now.”

“I would have been extremely disappointed if I couldn’t have gone. I got home in the afternoon and it was about 9pm in the evening before I finished answering people’s messages on Facebook.

"I was completely inundated and I felt it was only right that I answered every single one of them.

"I was answering emails and Facebook messages for about four or five hours.”

After five years of campaigning by John and local councillors, Network Rail agreed to put barriers at the crossing.

“The crossing’s gates had been taken away and there were no barriers at the time,” John said.

A memorial with a commemorative plaque to Andrew was also installed close to the crossing.

Talking about his son 20 years on, John said: “I remember his smile, his humour. I have always been a worrier, always have been always will be. Andrew was so relaxed it was unbelievable.

John added: “I’ve spoken to many people who were hoping to attend this year.

"If things are back to some semblance of normality, we will make the 21st anniversary a special occasion.”