Driver of quad-bike was son of resort shareholder, police reveal

The Maldives Police Service have identified the driver of the quad-bike that crashed and killed two British honeymooners on Kuredu Island Resort as 23 year-old Swedish national Filip Eugen Petre.

Filip Petre is the son of a shareholder of the company that operates the resort, and was employed by the company as a guest relations officer trainee, police stated.

The young couple from West Yorkshire, Emma and Jonathan Gray, were riding on the quad-bike as passengers when it collided with a tree around 4:00am on August 6. The UK press reported that the couple had been married for just seven days and had a six-month old son, Jake.

A quad bike of the kind police said was involved in the Kuredu accident

“Investigation into the incident has so far revealed that the accident occurred while the three were riding a four-wheel vehicle – a King Quad 700 – and crashed into a tree in the middle of the path,” police said in a statement today.

“Upon hearing of the accident the island doctor went to the scene of the accident and attempted to treat the victims, but told police that there was no sign of life from the two English tourists.”

Filip Petre suffered injuries in the crash and is currently being treated in hospital in Male’.

Jonathan Gray’s twin brother Michael told the Yorkshire Post that the family was “absolutely on our knees. We’re in shock and all pulling together as one big family.”

“They were the perfect couple. They were both high flyers, both doing well in their careers. They had such a great future ahead of them.”They were soulmates and their little boy was so special to them. Jake’s with us at the moment, with family,” he said.

Emma and Jonathan Gray

Meanwhile students at West Yorkshire primary school – at which Emma Gray was a teacher – were being offered counselling following her death.

Deputy Head teacher Liz Whetham told the Post that Gray was an “outstanding” teacher and that staff and pupils were devastated.

“At the moment we’re taking each day as it comes, but we will be organising a memorial event for Emma in September, and setting up a book of condolence,” Whetham told the paper.

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