A BURNLEY man who endured ‘a life of tragedy’ has died from kidney failure at the age of 32.

David Jarrad made the headlines when he found his dad George dying on the driveway of the family home in Warwick Drive, Padiham, in 1996.

He had suffered a head injury and died from a fractured skull later in hospital.

Police launched a murder-style investigation as they thought Mr Jarrad had been the victim of an assault but eventually concluded it had been an accident.

David, who was 15 year old at the time, decided to go on with his GCSE art exam at St Christopher's School in Accrington six days after his dad died.

His mum Jean died from kidney disease three years previously.

Last Saturday David, who had spent most of his life in a wheelchair died in hospital from kidney failure.

His uncle Philip Roscoe, 57, who lives in Barnoldswick, paid tribute to his 'positive' nephew.

He said: "It has been a life of tragedy. David was only born with one kidney. He developed diabetes and died of kidney failure in the end.

“Around six months ago, having been on the waiting list he got a kidney transplant but it was only 10 to 15 days before it rejected and he went downhill from there.

“If you ever feel fed up or depressed then just think of David. He had so many problems but he never let them get him down.

“He was a very positive person, he never complained about what he had been given and never got depressed.

“He had a great sense of humour.”

As well as Philip the only other family member still known to be around locally is David’s grandad Jim Roscoe, who lives in Laneshawbridge.

Philip said: “He had a very good friend in Susan McKenna who looked after him a lot and also his carer June did a lot for him.

“But he also did a lot on his own. He valued his independence. He would never hear of going in a home.

“He would go out on his own in his wheelchair and go to Tesco and whizz around the town. On a Saturday night he would always get a takeaway.

“He was an Arsenal fan and loved playing on his computer and listening to CDs, especially heavy metal music. He loved Status Quo and Queen.”

His funeral will take place at St Johns Church, Padiham, at 11.30am on Thursday 15 November, followed by burial in St Johns cemetery.