The devastated best friend of tragic bike crash victim Ewan Sampson is fighting to put his heartbreak behind him so he can start university.

Ben Beasley would have been Ewan's room-mate at the University of New Brunswick when the new term starts later this month.

But Ewan's death in April left a scar on Ben's own life -- and he even abandoned his college plans.

Only some last minute convincing from the university's professors persuaded Ben to change his mind.

Now the 17-year-old from Warwick is leaving Saltus Grammar School behind him and packing his bags to start his new life in Canada.

His mother Lorraine, of Fiddlewood Drive off Ord Road, said: "After Ewan's death, Ben was devastated and decided he couldn't face UNB alone, and applied elsewhere.

"But a phonecall from a visiting dean from UNB changed Ben's future plans.

They met and Ben was so impressed with their caring and understanding. They went out of their way.'' College officials were overwhelmed by Ben's track record, which included a trip to York Minster in England to receive the Queen's Scout Badge, in March.

A week later, Ben met Prince Philip at Government House to receive his Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award.

But Mrs. Beasley added: "All that paled into insignificance on April 21, when Ewan died.

"Ben could not believe that his best friend had been taken so cruelly. Slowly he accepted what had happened, but not why.'' Ben, who clocked up more than 600 hours as a Candystriper hospital volunteer -- along with Ewan -- even won the Outstanding Teen of the Year Award in the community service category.

Now Ben, 18 this month, is making final preparations for his five-year double degree programme in History, Fine Arts and Education.

BADGE OF HONOUR -- Ben Beasley receives his Queen's Scout Badge in York Minster, England.

BERMUDIAN BDA