The family of a teen who sadly lost his life following an incident at a Greater Manchester business have paid a touching tribute to him.
17-year-old Oliver Mawdsley died after being involved in a workplace accident in Bury last Thursday (8 February), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained, and since then a police investigation has been opened into the incident, and two arrests have been made.
A 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and gross negligence manslaughter, while a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Both men have been bailed pending further enquiries, GMP confirmed.
Following Oliver’s tragic passing, his mum, Samantha, has now paid tribute to “the most courageous, loving, and caring boy”.
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#TRIBUTE | The family of a 17-year-old who died following an incident at a business in Bury have paid tribute to “the most beautiful, handsome young man.”
Her tribute reads: “My brown eyed boy Ollie… you are my whole world. I just can’t imagine you not walking through the door, giving me the biggest cuddle, and sloppiest kiss with your big lips saying ‘love you mama’.
“You were always there for everyone. You were the best little brother to Coby, and the best big brother to Hector, and your other siblings. You were never shy to show your emotions in public. You were big and strong, but so soft with a loving personality. You protected everyone with your big, kind, caring heart, and your beautiful smile that lit up the room and everyone else’s heart too. You were always there for everyone else.
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“I will miss every single piece of you. My heart is broken and I wish I could just bring you home with me where you belong.”
Family pays tribute to ‘courageous and caring’ teen who died in a workplace accident in Bury / Credit: GMP
The tribute continues: “You had so, so much more to give to life, and you should never have been taken.
“Your life was just beginning. Me and Papa watched you grow from our beautiful little boy, to the most handsome young man. Your life was only just starting. You were saving to be able to buy the Crosser you always wanted, and your car insurance.
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“Your face would light up the world when you spoke about all your hopes and dreams, and you would have achieved them all.
“You had the purest of hearts with the purest intentions. “Us against the world”, we would always say, from you being a baby still to this day.”
Featured Image – GMP
Bury
Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
Bury
Six GMP officers dismissed following racial discrimination allegations
Emily Sergeant
A number of police officers have been dismissed following an internal investigation, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
Following the internal investigation into alleged racial discrimination against an officer on the Bury district – which was launched by GMP‘s Professional Standards Directorate in July 2024 – six officers and two former officers were found to have committed gross misconduct, and a ninth officer was found to have committed misconduct.
The investigation came after a report was made that an officer had been subjected to ‘racist behaviour’ by colleagues in December 2023.
The panel heard how PC Y – who has African heritage and has been granted anonymity – made a complaint after her accent was mimicked by a group of officers. She was also compared to a suspect with similar skin colour, and one of the dismissed PCs made a derogatory comment about her hair.
PC Y was supported and kept updated throughout the investigation, GMP assured, as well as providing evidence at the hearing.
The misconduct hearing lasted just over two weeks, with the panel concluding that the officers breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour relating to Equality and Diversity, Authority, Respect, and Courtesy.
The six officers who have been dismissed are PC Demi Green, PC Heena Rani, PC Lucy Granby, PC Matthew Barlow, PC Matthew Hill, and PC Mohammed Abid, while the former officers who were found to have committed gross misconduct are PC Jake Holt, and former Officer A – who has been granted anonymity.
The panel also found that Sergeant Adrian Bick’s actions amounted to misconduct, as there was no breach of the standard of equality and diversity.
As a result, the six serving officers have been sacked without notice, while the two former officers would have been dismissed had they not already left the force, and Sergeant Bick was issued a written warning.
“No officer or member of staff should have to come to work and experience discriminatory behaviour from the people they serve alongside,” declared Deputy Chief Constable, Terry Woods.
“Everyone has the right to feel respected, valued and part of the same team with a shared commitment to serving our communities and keeping people safe.”
Emily Sergeant -
13th February 2024 
