Tributes to Michael Goggins

8:20pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a former soldier who died after crashing into the central reservation of the A56 at Haslingden.

Michael Joseph Goggins, 22, of Britannia Avenue, Bacup, died after sustaining severe head injuries.

Police said Mr Goggins had taken his father's Landrover Freelander from their home at 10.30pm on Saturday.

The accident happened at 3.15am on Sunday. An eye witness has been assisting the police with their inquiries.

Michael was a former pupil of St Mary's Primary School, Bacup, and All Saints' RC High School, Rawtenstall, The Manchester United fan joined the army aged 17 and completed army guards training at Catterick before moving to Wellington Barracks in London.

His duties included guarding Buckingham Palace, St James' and the Tower of London. He also spent time at Victoria Barracks in Windsor.

Mr Goggins was part of a stabilisation force in Bosnia and he saw active service in Iraq.

At the end of 2007 he left the army and came home, where he started work at J&J Ormerods in Stacksteads.

His father, Dave said: "Michael loved his job. He liked socialising with his friends and playing pool for a local team. He had a lot of close girlfriends. He was one for the girls."

Michael's employer, warehouse manager Chris Brown of J&J Ormerods, said: "Michael started work here in September 2007, packing at Green Acre Mill and after three months there, he was transferred to Olive Mill.

"We took him on as an order picker. Michael was quickly very able to carry out jobs to a high standard, and very accurately too.

"He was well liked by all his friends and colleagues, and always had a smile on his face.

"He had the ability to make people laugh and in his short time with us made his mark becoming a valued member of the Warehousing team.

Michael leaves his parents, Dave and Joan, and his brothers John, 23; David 21, and sister Jenny, 19.

Police closed the road between the A56 at Rising Bridge and the A682 split towards the Woolpack Island in Haslingden until noon on Sunday.