A small shrine of touching tributes has gone up in memory of a much-loved son, brother and friend who died when he was tragically hit by a falling tree.
Floral tributes, photographs and heartfelt personal messages stand near to the spot where Darnell Cordingley lost his life in Sale, Trafford. He was just 26. Images from the scene can be revealed as Darnell's family spoke of their loss for the first time and paid tribute to their 'world and strength'.
Darnell, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene near Darley Street in Sale last Thursday afternoon, was with a long-time friend at the time, Sam Smart, who was also injured in the tragedy and currently remains in hospital.
The shrine to Darnell has been created close to the entrance to the tow path of the Bridgewater Canal at the end of Darley Street. One moving note from his girlfriend, Alex Calvert, said: "You are the most loving, caring and gentle man I was ever blessed to meet. It's hard to come to terms with the fact you're not here with me anymore. You'll forever hold the biggest and most special place in my heart."
Bunches of flowers with other messages attached to them have been tied to a fence, underneath framed photographs and candles underneath on the floor. One message, written on behalf of injured Sam, says: "Best friend who can never be replaced. Missing you already."
Darnell, a film-maker and avid gamer, had his own YouTube channel where he posted videos he'd made. Tributes have poured in for the 'best big brother anyone could have hoped for', with close friends, loved ones, and people who knew Darnell from his online hobbies, all coming together to remember him.
Darnell's mum, Beth Cordingley, 43, told the Manchester Evening News : "Darnell was just a lovely lovely gentle soul. He just wanted to help people, he was always a happy, cheery, positive person. He was the apple of my eye, my world, and my strength. He was a really good son, loving, loyal, always there for us both and always took care of his sister, we’re going to miss him very much.
"Myself and my daughter are absolutely devastated, it's always been us three against the world and nothing can fill the void that's been left in our lives. There's nothing that can fill this emptiness. It’s just tragic, it shouldn’t have happened to him. He had a happy and caring soul and always wanted the best for everyone. He could brighten up any room."
Darnell, who spent most of his spare time gaming, loved walking, animals, and playing airsoft.
The straight-A student, who went to Barton Clough Primary School before heading to Altrincham College of Arts High School, worked hard at South Trafford College to get into five different universities, settling on UCLAN Preston University to study directing and film, a huge passion which saw him create videos in his spare time for a YouTube channel.
He lived at home with his mum and sister as he saved to get onto the property ladder and buy his own home.
Sister Indio, 23, said: "Darnell was the best big brother anyone could have hoped for. He was always by my side when times got hard and I'm going to miss his comforting presence. He genuinely cared about everything and everyone, and he never had an enemy, everyone that met him loved him. Everyone he ever met was friends with him, he never had anything bad to say about anyone, he was just happy to be a part of people’s lives.
"He was down to earth, kind, and had a really calming and comforting presence. Even if you were the most stressed you’d ever been he’d calm you down. He always knew the right thing to say. He was a really interesting person, everything about him was just intriguing."
Darnell's dad, Leon Doyle, also paid tribute to his son through Beth and Indio, with a statement which said: "To my beloved son whom had everything to live for, the world will be a darker place without him."
Several other friends, including Daniel Sharples, Darnell's "best friend in the whole world", who had known him for 21 years, paid tribute to him. Daniel said: "Darney was my best friend ever, the most down to earth and kind person you would ever meet. He can not be replaced and I will miss you always."
Tom Bennion and Kieran Mather, two of Darnell's best friends, said: "Darnell was the kind of person that didn't care about what anyone thought of him, he just did what made him happy and got on with his life and helped anyone he could along the way. We'll miss him so much."
Another long-time friend Sam Smart was with Darnell when he tragically passed away, and had to be taken to hospital after being badly injured during the incident, where he remains. His girlfriend Hannah Seager said: "Sam and Darnell have been friends since they were teenagers. It's such an awful situation. Darnell was always there for Sam and always giving him advice, it was quite a brotherly relationship."
A fundraising page for Darnell's family has been set up by Emma Beesley, a close family friend, to help pay for the funeral and help his loved ones. A post on the page read: "Our beautiful Darnell has been taken from us in such an unexpected and tragic accident, his amazing mum has to now deal with planning a funeral for her baby boy, as a parent nobody thinks about this let alone has to face the reality of actually doing it."
Almost £4,000 has been raised so far. Visit the GoFundMe page to donate here.
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