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
Saddleworth’s new sandwich bar and kitchen with Michelin credentials
Daisy Jackson
It’s not every day you come across a sandwich with *20* different elements inside – but that’s what’s on the table at Fjord, Saddleworth’s newest opening.
This new sandwich bar and kitchen is tucked above barbershop and hair salon Ruger, and is the first solo venture for chef Kieran O’Reilly.
Kieran’s trained in Michelin kitchens across the North West, including Mana and The Forest Side, and wants to apply that level of meticulous prep to the humble butty.
That means sandwich fillings of impressive complexity, like a shallot confit cooked for nine hours, homemade tomato vine oil, a moreish bacon jam, stracciatella laced with confit garlic and lemon zest, and in-house miso.
And Kieran thinks he and his right-hand man Charlie might have actually invented a new bread for Fjord sandwiches – a puffball, pan-fried focaccia that’s thinner, lighter, and more manageable than its big sister.
Fjord wants to bring Scandinavian simplicity with Italian flavours to Lees, taking over the former Kobe space on Yorkshire Street.
Fjord is making homemade puffball focaccia for its sandwichesMichelin-trained chef Kieran O’Reilly
There’ll be refined brunches in the mornings with Ruger’s own coffee blend, before the offering pivots to Sandi-Italian focaccia sandwiches in the day.
And there’s a beautiful terrace aiming to bring a dose of Sorrento to Saddleworth, designed for long lunches, limoncello spritzes, and sunshine.
In the evenings, Ruger Fjord will shift into a spritz bar and small plates restaurant.
Kieran has credited his long-time friend and mentor Alan Beak for helping to bring the project to life, saying: “Alan has backed me for over a decade – from cutting my hair after school to supporting this opening. Ruger Fjord wouldn’t exist without him.”
Oldham man jailed for life after strangling another man he had a ‘complex’ relationship with
Emily Sergeant
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the strangulation murder of another man in Oldham late last year.
David Warren Jack, of Plumpton Close in the Royton area of Oldham, appeared in Manchester Crown Court on Monday (1 June), where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Paul Anderson, 55, in December last year.
The sentencing relates to an incident that occurred at around 7.50pm on 6 December 2025, where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers attended an address on Plumpton Close after receiving reports of an altercation, and when they arrived on the scene, Paul was sadly pronounced dead.
Around an hour earlier, Jack had called a friend to tell them that he had ‘killed somebody’, explaining that he had strangled Paul during a fight.
Shortly after calling his friend, Jack then proceeded to ring 999, with police immediately attending the scene, along with paramedics and other emergency services – but despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Paul’s life.
The cause of death was later ascertained as being caused by strangulation.
Following his death, Paul’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Rest in peace Paul – a precious dad, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who was so loved. He was a gentleman with a big heart and an incredible sense of humour. Our hearts will be forever broken”.
Following his guilty plea at the start of the week, Jack was yesterday (2 June) subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years and six months.
Speaking following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “David Jack and Paul Anderson had a complex relationship and had clashed before – sadly, this time, there were fatal consequences.
“Immediately following the call we received that night in December, we launched a full and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Paul’s death, securing an arrest and ensuring we left no stone unturned in our search for the truth.
“Paul was well-loved by his family, and I am glad that we have secured justice for them. Our thoughts remain with them following this awful case.”
Daisy Jackson -
18th April 2022 
