A family has paid tribute to a “clever, caring and compassionate” teenager, from Astley Bridge, who died in a fatal Belthorn crash.
Police were called to Jackson Heights Road just before 8.40pm on Monday, September 22, to reports of a single vehicle crash, involving a blue Vauxhall Corsa.
Officers attended and found that the Corsa, which had been travelling south on Jackson Heights Road, had left the carriageway before coming to rest down an embankment.
The driver of the car, who can now be named as 17-year-old Liam Bracken, a former Sharples School pupil, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a touching tribute, his family said: “Liam was a kind, caring, sensitive and compassionate young man. He was loved and adored by all who met him.
“He was extremely family-oriented - coming from a huge, loving close-knit family. Liam loved nothing more than nights with his family and also his friends.
“Liam loved high school and passed his GCSEs with flying colours – he was so clever. He had gotten himself an engineering apprenticeship at Sherwin Williams and was so driven. He was always striving to better himself and reach for the top.
“Liam was extremely into his health and fitness, always looking after himself in the gym with his mum and dad at 6.30am every morning before work.
“We are so proud of raising a son who showed how to be respectful and had a fantastic moral compass.
“This is such a tremendous loss to his loving family. Liam will be missed and loved by all who knew him. R.I.P son.”
As a result of the crash, four other teenagers suffered injuries which were not life-threatening. They were taken to hospital for treatment but have all since been discharged.
Sergeant Pete Fyans said: “This was a tragic collision in which a teenager lost his life, and my thoughts first and foremost are with Liam’s family at this incredibly sad time.
“As we investigate what happened, we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash cam footage from the area, to contact us.
“This is a rural location, but it might be that other vehicles were travelling in the area around the time this collision happened.”
Anyone with information, please contact 101 – quoting log 1329 of September 22 – or email the police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk.
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