Avonmouth bin death: Memorial to be held for student Garrett Elsey

A memorial is due to be held this afternoon in the hometown of Canadian student Garrett Elsey - whose body was found in a bin in Avonmouth a week ago.

Canadian news site Sherwood Park News reports that a memorial is being held at Glenwood Memorial Gardens in Sherwood Park today at 2pm - which will be at about 9pm UK time.

Garrett was crushed in the back of a bin lorry last Thursday – less than a day after arriving in Bristol to start a masters degree in international security.

It is understood that he was still alive when he was scooped up during the May Gurney lorry's collection round, and taken to Avonmouth, where his body was found.

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Avon and Somerset police have said further investigations would need to be carried out before a cause of death could be officially confirmed, but the Post understands his fatal injuries were caused by crushing.

CTV News has reported that more than 100 people attended a memorial for Garrett in Ottawa on Saturday night.

“It was kind of a spur of the moment event but a lot of people showed up. He just meant a lot to a lot of people,” said Kendra Baker, one of his friends.

“I think everybody just needed to get together and feel the support of their friends and feel the support of people who loved him.”

The Sherwood Park News reports that Garrett's death has sent shockwaves through the area's American football community.

They said that some of Garrett’s best moments growing up in the came on the American football field.

Included in that number is Sherwood Park Bantam Rams head coach Jim Skitsko, who guided Garrett on the 2003 and 2004 Rams teams, according to the Sherwood Park News.

“It’s past shock; you’re stunned, you don’t believe it,” Mr Skitsko said. “He was a remarkable young man. Words can’t describe how you feel about the situation. We can only offer our condolences and our deep, sincerest regrets to his family.”

Skitsko said that Elsey made a large impression on him and his teammates during his Bantam playing days.

“He was No. 20, which was his favourite number, and we called him 20 Questions because he asked lots of questions, which was a good thing because he wanted to learn and get better,” he said.

Mr Skitsko said Garrett’s father, Mark, and his brother, were at the Rams game on Sunday.

After the Rams, Elsey moved on to the Salisbury Sabres senior high school football team.

The Rams and the Sabres are going to pay tribute to Garrett's memory this season, with both teams starting by putting stickers on their helmets in his honour.

The Sabres also plan on making a donation to the Rams’ college bursary program.