An insult to troops fighting on frontline

Date published: 25 September 2009

CRASH driver ‘tribute’ sparks public backlash

TRIBUTES paid by his family to Matthew Fricker, the 20-year-old killed when a stolen car crashed in Denshaw, have brought an angry response from Chronicle readers.

When Matthew’s parents called him “their little soldier” and said he “lit up the room” and “didn’t have a bad bone in his body”, furious readers responded on this website (http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/30330/familys-tribute-to-their-tragic-little-soldier)

Only a tiny proportion of commentators responded positively to the family’s comments.

The Chronicle has defended itself against the criticism over our publication of the original family tribute.

Deputy editor David Whaley said: “Whatever the details of this accident, this was a tragedy for the Fricker family and they wanted to pay their tribute to Matthew. It would have been very wrong of us to deny them that opportunity.”

The Chronicle website (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) had many comments condemning Matthew’s actions in the immediate aftermath of the crash.

“The Chronicle did not print many of the website comments in respect of the mourning family,” Mr Whaley added.

“But the family has now had its say, so we feel it is only right to allow the public to challenge the family’s view.”