Oldham

Heartbroken families pay tribute to two young men killed in Good Friday crash

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th April 2022

The heartbroken families of two young men who were killed in a horror crash in Royton on Good Friday have paid an emotional tribute to them.

Harry Atkinson and Lewis Meeson, aged 20 and 21 respectively, have been named as the men who died after the collision in Oldham on 15 April.

The pair were riding a yellow Suzuki off-road motorbike when they collided with a grey Ford Kuga on High Barn Street shortly before 11am.

They both died from critical injuries sustained in the accident.

Harry and Lewis’ families have both paid tribute to the Royton locals over the weekend, describing them as ‘kind and thoughtful’ while thanking the outpouring of support from the community.

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The crash occurred around High Barn Street in Royton. Credit: Google Maps

Harry’s family said: “Words can’t describe how it feels to lose our youngest child, Harry – our son – in such a tragic way. Our hearts are broken.

“Harry is a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend.

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“His life and his death will touch many people – most of all those who love him dearly.

“Harry was 20, a loving kind and thoughtful young man; so full of life – happy in his job as a plumber with his whole life ahead of him.

“We want to thank all the first responders who tried their best to save both Harry and his friend’s lives and supported the other people involved in the terrible incident.

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‘Precious’: Harry Atkinson, 20, has been named as one of the men who died in the crash. Credit: GMP

“Thanks to the police who showed such kindness and compassion, and thanks for everyone’s kind words and support.

“Harry is precious to us and as we try to come to terms with the harsh reality that he isn’t coming home, we ask that people give us as a family some privacy, time and space in grieve in our own way.”

The family of 21-year-old Lewis said: “The family has been completely devastated by the loss of our beloved Lewis.

‘Loved and cherished’: Lewis Meeson, 21, also died in the accident. Credit: GMP

“We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from the community and from Lewis’s friends and family.

“This has reinforced what we already knew; that he is loved and cherished by everyone who knew him.

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“The family would like to thank everybody for the hundreds of kind, positive messages that have been received. We are so grateful and it has brought much comfort at this horrific time.”

Read more: Parents urged to ‘check in’ with children after spate of attacks on public transport

Harry and Lewis’ deaths are subject to an ongoing investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

No arrests have been made and GMP are appealing for information and dash cam footage. The driver of the Ford remained at the scene and is assisting with enquiries.

Anyone with information can call 0161 856 4741 quoting incident 1045 of 15 April, or pass on details anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured image: GMP

Oldham

Bury FC legend Nicky Adams confirms retirement after more than two decades

Danny Jones Danny Jones Nicky Adams retiring from football

Bury FC is saying goodbye to a veteran of Greater Manchester football as local legend Nicky Adams has announced he will be retiring at the end of the season.

The Bolton-born midfielder has enjoyed a 22-year career, playing for 10 different clubs in that time, most notably Bury, where he began as an academy product and earned his first senior minutes back in 2005.

Having been with the club across four different stints and by far the largest chunk of his playing days, making more than 200 appearances for the North West Counties side, he’s practically part of the furniture at this point.

But the time has finally come, as Adams revealed he will be retiring from professional football at the age of 38 – his longevity being an incredible achievement in itself.

Confirmed via a club statement on Tuesday, 15 April, the Shakers informed fans that Adams, who returned to his home club back in December, will be able to toast hanging up his boots with a promotion party if they avoid defeat against Burscough.

Adams has represented several other Greater Manchester teams in the past too, playing 85 games for Rochdale and 59 for Oldham Athletic, as well as 88 for Radcliffe FC.

Having scored 14 goals during his time with Bury, as well as serving as club captain, he told the club: “I think it’s perfect timing for me, I’m learning the coaching side of it. I’ve been doing that for the last few years, and I’ve got a big opportunity to go and do that full-time now.

“I came here at 16 years old; I’ve come back a few times now, I’ve played over 200 games for the football club, I don’t need to tell anyone what it means to me.

“I’ve had some unbelievable times here, and I’ll be forever grateful to this football club, which gave me the opportunity to go and be a professional footballer and go on the journey that I’ve been on. I’m forever grateful for that.”

Speaking on his return late last year, it’s plain to see how big an impression Gigg Lane has left on him.

He may be calling time on his playing days, but he’s not going anywhere.

Manager Dave McNabb went on to say: “I’m not really sure how to put into words the impact that Nicky has had on me and this group since he walked back through the door in December.

“His legendary status at this football club is well-known and documented. I had heard a lot of good things about his character and his personality through mutual friends and people within the game, so I knew he was going to be a good lad and have a positive impact in the dressing room.

Even with this knowledge, never did I expect to meet such an honest and caring man with enormous levels of integrity and with such high standards and principles. He’s a leader amongst men. When he talks, people listen. He gets the best out of others.

He is trusted and respected by everyone. He drives positive relationships within the group. He is the glue that holds things together. I’m proud to have brought him back to HIS football club, I’m proud to have played a very small part in his illustrious career but most of all, I’m proud to be able to call him a friend.

Signing off with a sentiment, McNabb added: “Good luck Nicky, you’re a legend.”

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Featured Images — Bury FC (via club website)

Oldham

Onlookers ‘in tears’ after tiny duckling rescued from storm drain in beauty spot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The RSPCA has shared a video of a tiny duckling being rescued from a storm drain

The RSPCA has shared a heartwarming video of a reunion between a tiny duckling and his mum, after the baby bird fell into a storm drain.

The charity, with the help of staff in the nearby Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream Parlour, managed to fish the tiny bird out of the storm drain in a painstaking two-hour-long operation.

Miraculously, the duckling was unharmed, and his mum was waiting nearby on the canal in Saddleworth ready to be reunited with her baby.

The RSPCA has now thanked the staff member who helped rescue the duckling, and issued a warning to the public to keep dogs on a lead when near wildlife, believing the poor bird was chased by a dog before falling down the five-feet-high grid.

The rescue operation too place in Diggle last Wednesday 9 April, with Animal Rescue Officer Lee Ferrans taking on the ‘long and painstaking’ process of tempting the duckling into a net.     

Lee said: “I wasn’t able to lift the grid so the only thing I could do was push an extendable pole straight down and try to catch the duckling in a net. There wasn’t a lot of room for manoeuvre and the net kept catching on all the debris.

“Just when I thought I’d been successful, the duckling kept disappearing into a drain on one side and then popping out again. A member of staff from Grandpa Greene’s had just finished her shift and came across to the other side of the canal to help me. I unscrewed the top of the pole with the net and held it down on one side of the drain while she used another section to gently encourage the bird to go into the net.

“It was quite a long and painstaking rescue but we eventually managed to bring the little one back up safely after more than two hours.”

The pair then placed the duckling into a cardboard box before heading further up the canal to reunite them with their mother and six sibling ducklings.

The adult duck ‘instantly recognised’ the chirping and swam straight towards it.

Lee added: “A little crowd had gathered and as the family were reunited people were shedding tears. It was a really lovely moment to see them all back together.

“I’d especially like to thank the member of staff from Grandpa Greene’s who offered an extra pair of hands – I couldn’t have done it without her – and to all the people in the area who stopped and were concerned.

“Storm drains can be a bit of a menace for ducklings, especially at this time of the year when there are babies around, and this brood was only a few days old.”

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Featured image: RSPCA

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