A regional newspaper journalist has been praised in the family announcements section of his paper for the way he reported on the tragic death of a 19-year-old.
Paul Whyatt, of the Derby Telegraph, was thanked for his ‘caring and sensitive’ articles by the parents of Sam Kirk, following his death this summer.
The teenager died in July, a week after being punched to the ground and hitting his head in a street incident in Derby.
An acknowledgement notice from his parents Dave and Tracy which was printed in the family announcements section thanked all those who had supported them, including Paul who reported on the death.
Said Paul: “I don’t think I’ll ever forget that interview. Not just because of the tragic nature of the story but because I found Tracy and Dave to be two of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met, or am likely to meet.
“It was remarkable they found the strength and courage to speak so openly about Sam’s death, but what also struck me was how quick they were to thank all the nurses who helped, Sam’s friends for their support and how quick they were to say they had no animosity against the person who had punched Sam. They’re just the most incredible and kind natured people.
“Writing the stories was incredibly difficult. I try not to get emotionally attached to stories but it was impossible in this case.
“I’d say writing the double-page feature was the hardest thing I’ve done in this job because the story was just so agonising.”
Following the assault on Sam in July, he recovered from a coma and seemed to be making a good recovery.
But he deteriorated and suffered a stroke, leaving him paralysed down one side, and his family made the agonising decision to switch off his life support machine.
Paul said Sam’s parents had made his funeral a positive occasion in celebrating his life, including playing the song Don’t Worry Be Happy.
He added: “I can’t believe they went to the effort of writing in with those kind words about the articles. It means a lot to me but of course I wish it hadn’t been necessary to write them.”
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Well done Paul. Approaching the family of anyone who has died suddenly is such a difficult thing to do. No matter how you handle it, the very fact you’re knocking on their door is often seen as a highly insensitive act, so to have gained the family’s trust like that and gone some way to help them through a difficult time is something to be quite proud of, even if it was an upsetting story to write.
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Just occasionally, we can feel good about what we do…
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I remember my first editor calling me in after my first death knock. “I understand you found that difficult?” he said. “Well, if the day ever came that you enjoyed doing that, I don’t think I’d want you working for me anymore.”
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Paul – you should feel very proud of yourself. As a journalist all my life, even I am proud of you, though I’ve never met you, because you’ve shown the best side of our sometimes-dubious profession. I’m an old codger now (I was making difficult house-calls of this sort nearly 60 years ago) but I have always been deeply concerned about how journalists behave in these circumstances. Chapter Six of my online memoirs, in fact, is devoted to ‘intruding on grief’ – I think you would find it interesting and possibly helpful. My very good wishes. Gerry Kreibich.
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Very, very well done. A great feather for your cap.
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Nice to see a journalist being shown in a positive light for once. Well done.
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Nicky deserves all the praise coming her way but… shouldn’t the police have spoke to the original investigator and shouldn’t he have properly stored the photos in the police archives. Of course had he done so they would probably have never been found and would be just left gathering dust. Once again congratulations to Nicky.
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