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.”
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
Police urgently appeal after 90-year-old woman killed by reversing car in Failsworth
Emily Sergeant
Police are urgently appealing to the public for information and witnesses after an elderly woman was killed by a reversing car last week.
At around 3pm on Wednesday 7 January, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian on Albert Street West in Failsworth, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a woman, aged 90, had been struck by a reversing vehicle.
The woman was promptly taken to hospital in a ‘serious’ condition.
However, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she sadly later died from her injuries earlier this week (13 January).
#APPEAL | Officers from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are appealing for information after a woman in her 90s was struck by a car on Albert Street West, Failsworth on 07/01/26
Following the incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, but he has since been released on bail.
As officers progress their investigation at pace, GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses, urging the public to come forward if there’s any way they can help.
The appeal goes out to anyone who believes they saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam footage or CCTV of the incident.
Can you help? You can contact police via 101 or the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1936 of 07/01/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
Oldham
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.