Flowers, football shirts and photos have been left at the scene of a horror crash in which two young men were killed. Harry Atkinson, 20, and Lewis Meeson, 21, died when the off road motorbike they were riding crashed with a Ford Kuga on High Barn Street in Royton, Oldham on Good Friday.
Following their deaths there's been a huge outpouring of grief in the town. Dozens of tributes, including Manchester United shirts and photographs of the friends have been left at the corner of Cardigan Street.
Yesterday (Sunday) Lewis and Harry's families paid tribute to their 'precious' and 'beloved' sons. Paying tribute to Harry, who worked as a plumber, his family said: "Words can't describe how it feels to lose our youngest child, Harry - our son - in such a tragic way. Our hearts are broken.
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"Harry is a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend. His life and his death will touch many people - most of all those who love him dearly. Harry was 20, a loving, kind and thoughtful young man; so full of life - happy in his job as a plumber with his whole life ahead of him.
"We want to thank all the first responders who tried their best to save both Harry and his friend's lives and supported the other people involved in the terrible incident. Thanks to the police who showed such kindness and compassion, and thanks for everyone's kind words and support.
"Harry is precious to us and as we try to come to terms with the harsh reality that he isn’t coming home, we ask that people give us as a family some privacy, time and space in grieve in our own way."
The family of 21-year-old Lewis said: "The family has been completely devastated by the loss of our beloved Lewis. We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from the community and from Lewis’s friends and family.
"This has reinforced what we already knew; that he is loved and cherished by everyone who knew him. The family would like to thank everybody for the hundreds of kind, positive messages that have been received. We are so grateful and it has brought much comfort at this horrific time."
The pair, from Royton, were riding on a yellow Suzuki off-road motorbike when the crash took place shortly before 11am. Their deaths are subject to an ongoing investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
The driver of the Ford remained at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries. No arrests have been made and GMP continues to appeal for information and dash-cam footage.
Anyone with information should call GMP on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident 1045 of 15/04/2022. Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
