The family of tragic bike crash victim Ewan Sampson have been plunged back into grief.

Because Ewan's grandfather Dr. Jess Crosse, one of the world's top microbiologists, died of a massive heart attack at home in England just before Christmas.

Now Ewan's mother Penny is having to fight to be brave again and come to terms with the second loss in her family.

Ewan, 17, was killed when his bike was in a head-on collision with a bread van on Middle Road, Southampton, last April.

He was known as a dedicated hospital volunteer and a brilliant student at Saltus Grammar School, destined for a Canadian university to study computers.

A scholarship has already been set up in his memory to help other Bermudian teenagers who want to follow degrees in information technology.

And that fund has been boosted -- thanks to the generosity of mourners at 79-year-old Dr. Crosse's funeral.

Friends and relatives of the Kent-based research scientist opted against paying for flowers -- instead donating money to the memorial fund, now standing at over $60,000.

Former Saltus teacher Mrs. Sampson, of Sun Valley Road in Warwick, described how the family only flew to England for Christmas because they could not bear to be at home without Ewan.

She added: "Needless to say, this has been an incredibly difficult time. But out of all tragedy comes something good and in lieu of flowers, people were asked to contribute to Ewan's fund.

"My father was prominent in the scientific community which has its own grapevine, so many had heard of Ewan's death.

"Before I left, I received the sum of 574 from the funeral home, who expressed their incredulity at the amount.

"This is relatively small in Bermuda terms but for England it represented a significant contribution.'' Mrs. Sampson said her husband Tyrone even kept her hidden from news of Ewan's inquest last month, knowing it would only add to her grief.

Coroner Archie Warner recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying Ewan was killed because his bike's kickstand was still down.

Anybody wishing to contribute to the Ewan Sampson Memorial Scholarship fund should quote account number 70115742 at the Bank of Bermuda or 20-006-060-881768-200 at the Bank of Butterfield.

Happier times: Ewan Sampson and his grandfather Dr. Jess Crosse, one of the world's top microbiologists.