Hundreds farewell popular teen

Grieving father Darren Brown yesterday told hundreds of mourners who crammed into St Francis Xavier Church he hoped heaven had a BMX shop because riding was his son's greatest passion.

The church was packed to overflowing yesterday as friends and family paid their respects to 18-year-old Ben Brown, who died of meningococcal disease on Saturday.

More than 500 people, many of whom were Ben's BMX-riding friends, gathered to say goodbye at a funeral that saw laughter and tears.

Ben was remembered as a young man who loved his family, loved his girlfriend and mates, and loved his bike.

His father referred to a poignant newspaper photograph taken 17 years ago to the day, showing Ben, who was then aged 1, holding his grandfather's hand as they walked down a gravel road in rural Northland.

The family took comfort from the fact that Ben was now reunited with his grandfather in heaven, Mr Brown said.

He went on to say he hoped there was a good BMX shop in heaven with plenty of spare parts and a good first aid kit because BMX riding was one of Ben's greatest passions.

He was widely regarded as one of the most skilled freestyle BMX riders in Northland.

Ben's girlfriend, Kelc (Kelsie) MacKenzie, fought back tears as she shared her thoughts about Ben.

She said she would remember his bike, his hair, his family, his attitude to everything, and the way he made her feel like she was the only girl in the world.

"I'll always remember him for what he used to be and not what he is now," she said.

"I've never seen Ben lie down for so long."

Father Chris Skinner, a relative of Ben's stepfather Paul Martin, shared some memories of Ben on behalf of Mr Martin and Ben's mother Wendy Martin.

Ben attended Hikurangi School, Matarau School and Kamo High School, Father Skinner said.

His first job was at a sausage factory and he liked to be referred to as a "sausiologist".

Ben was two weeks into a plumbing apprenticeship when he died, Father Skinner said.

"Ben was truly loved and he will be deeply missed."

Ben's grandfather Neil Brown said he remembered teaching Ben to ride a bike - Ben had not wanted, or needed, training wheels - and he recalled taking him to the horse races at Ruakaka where Ben had successfully predicted the winners.

Mr Brown said he had gone down to the skate park to see the tribute Ben's friends had painted on the weekend.

"I knew he had a few mates, but, by hokey, I didn't know he had that many," he said

At the end of the service, Ben's casket was loaded into a hearse and driven away.

Close to 100 of his mates on BMX bikes followed the hearse.

Ben was admitted to Whangarei Hospital on Thursday afternoon and was dead by Saturday.

He was the second Northlander to die from meningococcal disease in the past month, and one of six cases recorded by the Northland District Health Board this year.

The Brown family has laid complaints with the Northland coroner about the circumstances leading up to his death.

They and Ms MacKenzie say he was sent home twice by medical professionals in the days leading up to his death.