A headteacher has paid tribute to a former pupil, from Astley Bridge, who died in a crash in Belthorn.
Liam Bracken, 17, died in a crash on Jackson Heights Road earlier this week.
Liam attended Sharples School, in Astley Bridge. He left in 2023 but made a positive impression on headteacher, Caroline Molyneux, who described him as an “absolutely wonderful pupil”.
She said: “He was an absolutely wonderful pupil. The staff and students are devastated. We had an open evening on Thursday night (September 25) and many pupils, who were friends of Liam’s or were in his year group, came to the school. They wanted to come and see us as they had been so affected by what has happened.
“He was a real model pupil – I know people often say that but he really was. He was a lovely boy. We can’t believe it.”
A memorial event is being held at the school. It is not yet known when this will take place.
Ms Molyneux said: “We are still very close with his family. We are hoping to have a memorial event at the school for him, and other students, so we can remember him.
“We want to make a memory corner in our garden for him at some point in the future.”
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.
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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