Heartbroken Blackpool mum pays tribute to beloved son who died after devastating Redcar Road house fire

The heartbroken mum of a Blackpool teenager who died after sustaining severe injuries in a devastating house fire last month has paid tribute to her ‘hilarious, witty, articulate’ son.

Joey Gregory, 19, died on Thursday July 9 in Wythenshawe Hospital, nine days after a terrible fire in Redcar Road, Blackpool which was caused by an e-bike and which also tragically claimed the life of 13-year-old Coby Keogh.

Describing the family as ‘devastated’ and calling the past nine days ‘hell’, Joey’s mother Sally Gregory has said that Joey’s loved ones are ‘not angry’ but instead are ‘surrounded by love’, expressing her gratitude for the fact that they were all able to say goodbye to Joey before he sadly passed.

‘We are absolutely devastated”

“We are absolutely devastated, it has been a hell of a nine days,” said Sally, 47, speaking exclusively to the Gazette. “But we had a chance to say goodbye to him and that means everything. Not everyone gets the chance to do that and we are not angry, we are surrounded by love. He was hilarious, witty, articulate and a very bright lad, he was funny and daft.”

After emergency services received reports of a house fire on Redcar Road at 9:37am on Tuesday June 30, Joey was rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital before being moved to Wythenshawe. Having been put into a coma, Joey had sadly suffered brain injuries described by his mum as 'too catastrophic for him to survive'.

He died in hospital after hearing his dad Harry speak to him for one last time.

“When they withdrew the support, his heart carried on beating for 75 minutes,” said Sally. “They were nearly putting him back in ICU, but then he heard his dad’s voice... They had talked to us about organ donation, he’d opted in when he applied for his driving licence at 17, so we knew what his wishes were.

“The donation team came at around 4pm and his heart and both kidneys were donated,” she added. “It’s the greatest gift and he makes us so proud. It has brought us a lot of comfort.”

The family of Coby Keogh - who also tragically died in the blaze, passing away on Sunday July 5 - last week launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise money for the family and to ‘help Coby have the best send off’.

Joey was close to the family of Coby, with the youngsters having all been to school together both at Holy Family Catholic Primary School and at St. Mary’s Catholic High School.

“Joey did believe in God, which was unusual for a 19-year-old,” said Sally. “But he prayed every night and that brings us comfort too. He’s amazing and we are so proud of the legacy that he’s left behind.

“The staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and the police were outstanding, as were the police who escorted us to Wythenshawe Hospital,” she added. “Unbelievable support.”

An investigation into the house fire is ongoing, but Blackpool Police believe it was started by an e-bike.

“We want to raise awareness about e-bikes,” said Sally. “It’s terrifying and there needs to be more legislation.”