Ben Church, 28, dies in Barking motorcycle crash on Aspen Way

A 28-year-old man from Barking died after his motorcycle crashed on Aspen Way in the early hours of 5 August 2026. Ben Church was involved in a single-vehicle collision near the junction of Preston’s Road at 3:25am, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.

Police were called to the scene and are now appealing for witnesses. No further details about the cause of the crash have been released. Enquiries are ongoing, a police spokesperson said to MyLondon.

Fundraiser launched for funeral costs

Chris Wilson, Church’s best friend, has started a fundraiser to cover funeral expenses. The target is £3,500, with any surplus funds donated to a motorcycle safety charity. Wilson described Church as a central figure in his family’s life, spending nearly every Christmas with them over the past five years.

Wilson, 35, met Church six years ago on a construction site in the Gascoigne Estate. He said Church was one of the first people to offer help when his son was born. Church later developed a passion for motorcycles, learning to strip and rebuild them while working with a bike mechanic.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police continue their investigation into the crash. Witnesses are asked to contact the police directly. The fundraiser for Church’s funeral remains open, with updates posted on the fundraising page.