Chart-topping musician Paul Hardcastle has shared the devastating details of his final conversation with his son, which took place mere minutes before the young man's life was cut short in a tragic road accident.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
Paul Hardcastle Jr, aged 35, died on Monday following a collision with a van while riding his motorcycle in Ongar, Essex. The incident occurred after police attempted to stop the bike. The 68-year-old music star, famed for his 1985 hit '19', broke the news of his son's passing on social media earlier this week.
In a heartfelt video posted to Instagram on Friday, the grieving father recounted the chain of events that led to the catastrophe. His son had been running late for a flight to Greece, where he had a series of gigs booked over four days. After missing his initial flight, he faced a further setback when his car was impounded. Crucially, his saxophone – essential for his work – was locked inside the seized vehicle.
A Father's Agonising Final Words
Paul Hardcastle Sr explained that his son was denied access to retrieve the instrument. In a bid to help, the musician offered to bring another saxophone to him. "I said, 'Right, okay. Well, look, you haven't got long. Just get here as quick as you can to get your sax, or maybe I'll meet you halfway,'" he recalled. "He went, 'I'll go back. I'll get back to you in five minutes.' He didn't get back to me in five minutes."
Tragically, that was their last exchange. The younger Hardcastle was involved in the collision shortly afterwards. Despite the efforts of bystanders who tried to help at the scene, he was pronounced dead. His father sombrely noted that his son's breathing was very shallow before he passed away.
A Heartbreaking Warning to Others
Reflecting on the avoidable nature of the tragedy, the devastated star urged others not to take similar risks. "It was all to do with the facts of him missing a flight, trying to get his sax, and he should have just got an Uber or whatever," he said. "He just wanted to try and get his sax, bring it back, leave his house and get to Greece. And unfortunately, he made the wrong decision."
He issued a direct plea: "If anyone out there thinking along them lines, don't bother. It's just not worth it. Cancel the gig. Do something else." Hardcastle also described the moment two police officers arrived at his door to deliver the earth-shattering news, expressing sympathy for them having to perform such a difficult duty.
The musician's social media posts have been flooded with messages of support from fans and fellow celebrities, including Jools Holland. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the brutal and lasting consequences that can stem from a single rushed decision.
