In Memory of Ben Horsman (1/7/1976 - 15/8/2004) and his girlfriend, Kathryn Berg.
This website is dedicated to Ben Horsman and Kathryn Berg, who both died late on the night of Sunday 15th August, in a tragic car accident.
The accident
Ben had spent Sunday 15th August with friends and his girlfriend, Kat, at
one of his favourite pubs in Edinburgh. He stopped off at his girlfriend's
parents' house on the way back to his home in Dundee, meeting them for the
first time. Afterwards, Ben and Kat continued their journey back to Dundee.
An articulated lorry was travelling in the opposite direction and had just
left a roundabout. It had accelerated to a speed of 34MPH. As Kat's car
approached the lorry, her car lost control and began to spin in a clockwise
direction presenting the left side of the car to the oncoming lorry. The
vehicles collided, killing Ben and Kat instantly. Neither of the drivers had
been drinking. Neither of them were speeding. Neither of them are to blame
for the accident. The accident report suggests that there was a
catastrophic mechanical failure of the
left rear wheel/brake assembly immediately prior to the accident, however,
the details are a bit vague. More details will be posted here if
they ever become available.
Tributes
If you knew Ben or Kat, and wish to leave a tribute to either of them on
this website, please send an email to: tributes AT extorian DOT co DOT
uk, including any text you wish posted and your name
(or specify you wish to be anonymous), and I will add them to the website as soon as I get round to it. You may also attach a picture of Ben or Kat if you wish. There are some tributes to Ben and Kat on other websites. If you know any links, email them too.
Chris Murray's Tribute
I knew Kathryn well. We were close friends at one time, and it saddens me to think I'll never speak to her or see her again. As many people who knew her will remember, she loved Harry Potter. I was dismissive, but she set herself the task of proving me wrong, by reading all the books to me, in person and over the phone. She was funny like that. Determined, driven, and full of energy. To be honest, one of the reasons I'll miss her so much is because we fell out for a time. A long time. Too long. But about a month before her death she emailed me, apologised for things she said and done, and told me she was happy because she'd met someone nice. I guess that was Ben. The short story is that we made up, and we hoped to meet up for a chat. It never happened. For that I'll always be sad, but I'm glad we were on good terms before she died. I know she loved her family very much, as she spoke of them often. I cannot imagine their grief, but I share some small part of it. Goodbye Kat, I'll miss you.
Faye, Olivia and Alan's Tribute
Ben,
I remember you telling me (Faye) about your search to find a very particular rock to take from the beach to bring to your Kat - it had to be 'just the right rock'. It made me smile and think again that your being a geologist has always seemed especially appropriate to you - strong, steadfast, many layered, supportive and wise.
We drank champagne to you this Christmastime - partly because we know what kind of caustic comment you'd make about that (!), but, mostly, because it seemed fitting for someone who had so enriched all of our lives. Your place in the hearts of our family - and our family's heart - is for always and unique.
We had looked forward to meeting your lovely Kat and think constantly of her family and yours. You and she had so obviously 'found' each other and, wherever you both are, that will always be so.
Ben, you loved the sheer wonder of the universe, the intricacies and the vastness of time and space [and what you couldn't tell us about Star Trek wasn't worth the telling! :)] Go boldly, then, amongst the planets and the stars - and, when you rest, may you find, once again, just the right rock.
First Contact (Katy/Firefly/Jess)
Cowering at a table, fiddling nervously with the menu. Glancing shyly at a recent acquaintance for reassurance. Overwhelmed by whispers of a great man, a man soon to arrive. Watching him strut over effortlessly, then introduce himself and settle comfortably into the seat opposite. Nervous smiles and polite hellos, renditions of tales and meets. Unable to avert my gaze or quell the longing to know this man better. Adopted as a third party into a firm friendship of old. A shy, nervous, insecure, lonely girl eased into unconditional friendship and companionship.
Juden Berg's Tribute
I only met Ben once and warmed to him straight away, Kathryn admonished me for winding him up in her usual fashion "Shut up Juden" she said.
The caring father, when Kat and he were leaving I gave the usual fatherly warning "If you can't be good, don't get caught" I would dearly love to catch them now.
It is a comfort to Anne Marie and I that they will be together, Kat was so happy and proud of Ben, talking about him every time she called me.
I don't think the emptiness will ever be filled
Kathryn McElroy and Laura Hood's tribute
We have lost the opportunity to find Kathryn again, and meet the man who
made her so obviously complete. All we are left with are memories and
regrets, and the determination to fulfil our lives in a way that this happy
young couple will never have the chance to. Never, ever, let the sun go down
on an argument, because tomorrow isn't guaranteed for anyone. Kat, your
impact on our lives will be sorely missed, we value the years we shared
growing up, we will always have the memories.
Lori's tribute
I didn't see Ben online very often since I finished with university. But somewhere in the back of my mind was the knowledge that the world was a better place because he was out there somewhere. I'll miss that knowledge. The world has a lost a genuinely good man.
I am going to concentrate on what's important in life. I'm going to strive everyday to be a kind and generous and loving person. I'm going to keep death right here, so that anytime I even think about getting angry at you or anybody else, I'll see death and I'll remember. (Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Do The Right Thing, 1992)
To his family and his friends that I know, namely Elly and Adam: I am so sorry. I share your sadness, and I can't imagine your grief.
Teresa Kopyto's tribute
If I am honest I hadn't seen Kathryn for a long time. However, I don't have one childhood
memory that does not have her in it. Kathryn was one of my
best friends from the age of about 6 until we were in high school. There
was five of us in our little group and we had the best times. We would
dress up and have sleep overs, the usual stuff. I remember playing in the
cemetery that she now lies in. It really saddens me that I will not see
someone who was a significant part of my childhood again. Every time I drive
past Melville Lodges roundabout I think about her. Her death is not fair,
she did not deserve that. I can only hope that now she is in a better place
and at peace. She will be missed, but the memories live on.
I knew Kathryn well. We were close friends at one time, and it saddens me to think I'll never speak to her or see her again. As many people who knew her will remember, she loved Harry Potter. I was dismissive, but she set herself the task of proving me wrong, by reading all the books to me, in person and over the phone. She was funny like that. Determined, driven, and full of energy. To be honest, one of the reasons I'll miss her so much is because we fell out for a time. A long time. Too long. But about a month before her death she emailed me, apologised for things she said and done, and told me she was happy because she'd met someone nice. I guess that was Ben. The short story is that we made up, and we hoped to meet up for a chat. It never happened. For that I'll always be sad, but I'm glad we were on good terms before she died. I know she loved her family very much, as she spoke of them often. I cannot imagine their grief, but I share some small part of it. Goodbye Kat, I'll miss you.
