Since its launch, When Lives Collide captivated audiences with its emotive portrayal of the grief and suffering faced by road crash victims. Displayed at St. Martin in the Bull Ring Church, Birmingham, the powerful exhibition ran from Tuesday, July 30th, to Sunday, August 25th, offering visitors a rare and moving insight into the realities of road collisions.

When Lives Collide was not just a collection of photographs; it was a heartfelt tribute to the lives forever changed by road crashes. Shot by esteemed photographer Paul Wenham-Clarke, a Professor of Photography at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), the exhibition showcased the faces and personal stories of members of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims. Each image was accompanied by a written statement in which those photographed recounted their experiences and reflected on their ongoing journey through grief.

The exhibition was particularly poignant this year, coinciding with National Road Victim Month 2024 – a time dedicated to remembering those killed or seriously injured on the roads. Originally created in 2023 to mark RoadPeace’s 30th anniversary, When Lives Collide honoured the charity’s three decades of advocacy and support for road crash victims, echoing the original version of the exhibition from 30 years ago.

The event was attended by key figures from the community, including the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service Road Crash Reduction Team and firefighters; West Midlands Ambulance Service; Simon Foster (Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands); and Councillor John Cotton (Leader of Birmingham City Council). Their presence underscored the deep local connection and poignant relevance of the exhibition to the community. The Rector of St. Martin in the Bull Ring, Jeremy Allcock, spoke of how profoundly moved all those visiting the exhibition had been.

A number of road crash victims and members of RoadPeace, some of whom were featured in the exhibition, also attended. Among them was Mark Hackett, whose son Lee Ferguson was tragically killed in a crash while riding his motorbike. Diane Gall, Mandy Gayle, Natty Cash, Diane Cash, and Abbie Brooks also spoke with journalists at the event.

Following its successful debut at the gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf in London last year, where it drew crowds from across the country, When Lives Collide continued to raise awareness about the risks faced by road users every day. Its powerful imagery and stories resonated deeply with visitors, journalists and RoadPeace members alike.

Photographer Paul Wenham-Clarke described the exhibition as “a window into the soul of these people who have experienced, for real, everyone’s worst nightmare.”

As When Lives Collide touched hearts and minds, it served as a stark reminder of the importance of road danger reduction and the enduring impact of road crashes on victims, families and communities. The exhibition’s conclusion leaves a lasting legacy of resilience, loss and the unbreakable human spirit that it so powerfully portrayed.

Updated on: 28 August 2024