Friends and family pay last respects to Craig

8:19pm Wednesday 6th February 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

THE parents of a teenager who died in a car accident warned young people who went to his funeral to take care on the roads.

Hundreds of people packed into the chapel at Burnley Crematorium to pay their final respects to Craig Cronshaw, who died when his Citroen Saxo crashed into a wall in Stacksteads.

Two Blackburn Rovers Union Jack flags were held aloft as the football mad youngster's coffin was carried into the crematorium chapel yesterday.

Some friends and family members walked into the crematorium chapel carrying white and blue balloons in honour of the Rovers fan, who lived in Bolton Road, Darwen, until he was 14 before moving to Heathbourne Road, Stacksteads.

The Rev Garry Whittaker read out a message from the parents warning young people to take care on the roads.

He told the sobbing mourners, some who had spilled out of the chapel: "It is never easy when someone you love dies, especially someone as young as Craig who we imagined had all his life stretching out before him.

"We never think for one minute it will be a member of your family.

"Craig's parents want to get the message out today and that is please take care, especially on the roads to protect yourself, your family and friends.

"Imagine what Craig's family felt like on that awful day in December.

"Imagine what your family would feel like if the same thing happened to you.

"If you think you are invincible just because you are young you are not."

Passengers Ruth Bailey and Kayleigh Goodwin, both 17, were injured in the crash at 5.20am on December 9.

Student Ruth, of Wood-grove Drive, Burnley, who broke both her legs, attended the funeral in a wheelchair.

Mr Whittaker said: "He loved his football and he played for various football teams.

"He would do anything to bring a smile to anyone's face and this included telling terrible jokes.

"Craig was fun to be around and there was never a dull moment."

His ashes will be buried at Stacksteads Cemetery.

• Click on the link below for the funeral photo gallery.