Max Greenhouse, 17, died after the car he was travelling in crashed in Aughton, West Lancashire. His parents Andy and Ally are now campaigning for graduated driving licences
The father of a teenager who lost his life in a crash on a quiet country lane has opened up about his family’s heartbreak as they push for driving law reforms.
Max Greenhouse, 17, tragically died after the vehicle he was in veered off the road and collided with a farm building on Fir Tree Lane in Aughton, West Lancashire, just after 9pm on December 11, 2024. He had been a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa alongside three mates.
Though he was rushed to hospital with severe injuries, he passed away shortly afterwards. Fourteen months later, Max’s mum and dad, Andy and Ally Greenhouse, are still campaigning in their son’s memory. Reflecting on the anniversary of his son’s death, Andy, 53, described how brutal the first year had been. He explained: “Last year was really raw.”
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On marking the painful milestone, he added: “The anniversary was difficult, we ended up going out for the day and going for a big walk, we just tried to keep ourselves busy doing that. It was even more difficult because we knew the police were working on charging someone but we got a year down the line and we didn’t know if there was going to be anyone in court over this.”, reports Lancs Live.
Speaking about coping with loss, he revealed: “You go through waves of it. I’ll have bad days and pick myself up, then Ally and then the kids. We just pick each other up at different times. Our energy levels are just empty.”
In a chat with the ECHO, Andy and Ally shared how Max discovered his love for music and took up DJing. This became his passion, which he pursued alongside his joinery course at Southport College. The former Deyes High School student was resolute in his ambition to become a DJ.
In addition to his love for music and active social life, Max was a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter. Following his death, a banner was displayed on the front of the Kop at Anfield as Liverpool drew against manchester-united-fc>Manchester United in January last year.
The entire stadium erupted into applause before an emotional rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung.
Andy spoke candidly about the difficulties the family has faced just stepping out of their home. The last time the grieving parents spoke, it was in their Lydiate home where Max had grown up. However, they have since relocated to Haskayne in West Lancashire.
Andy expressed: “You feel more anxious and not great in social situations in case people ask questions. People have good intentions but you still feel nervous. We don’t go back to Maghull or Lydiate, we don’t go shopping round there, we go out of the area to do things like that because we don’t want to go over it again.”
Ally and Andy are now supporting a campaign for graduated driving licences (GDLs). Moreover, the family are advocating for changes in the law regarding the number of hours learner drivers must clock behind the wheel before passing their test, in an effort to make the roads safer.
Max was in the process of learning to drive when he tragically lost his life, having been out in the car with his dad several times as his parents were keen not to rush him into driving. The proposed initiative would impose restrictions on newly qualified drivers, allowing them to gradually gain full driving privileges.
Last month, Northern Ireland announced plans to introduce a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme. The changes include a compulsory minimum six-month learner period, restrictions on carrying passengers between 11pm and 6am for newly qualified drivers, and a requirement to display R-plates for two years.
When asked about the significance of seeing similar legislation rolled out across England, Andy said: “When people say it means the world to them – for us it would mean that Max’s passing wasn’t for nothing if something good can come from it. If we can prevent any future deaths, that’s what matters.”
He added: “We would never want for someone to go through what we have been through. We have a strong group around us but some people go through this alone. It would mean something has come out of this, something good and positive.”
