Over-limit teen died after 105mph run

LOVED: Billy Cooney

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A POPULAR Failsworth teenager drove at 105mph - and minutes later was involved in a fatal car smash.

Billy Cooney (19) suffered extensive head injuries when his Vauxhall Corsa careered off the A627(M) on to the slip road with the Elk Mill roundabout.

Police told a Rochdale inquest how a picture retrieved from the driver’s mobile phone showed a speedometer reading 105mph. The picture was taken at 4.59am — minutes before the crash.

Billy, a bright student at Bolton University, was on the southbound carriageway heading for Broadway.

Deputy assistant coroner Michael Salt heard how his car had mounted the grass verge from the motorway and become airborne as it crossed the slip road. It rotated and smashed full force into railings protecting the entrance to an underground subway.

Tests found the driver had twice the legal driving limit of alcohol in his blood.

An off-duty police officer and HGV driver were first on the scene shortly after 5am, closely followed by emergency services. Billy’s heart stopped several times but he was kept alive by paramedics as tgey rushed him to the Royal Oldham Hospital. He died later that morning, surrounded by his family.

Sergeant Garry Lyel told the inquest there was no way of proving how fast Billy was going before the accident, but believed it was over the 70 mph speed limit due to the amount of damage to the car.

The phone was examined forensicallly and the picture revealed — with another showing a speed of 90mph - both taken within seconds of each other at around 3.59am. Daylight-saving meant the actual time was an hour later - just minutes before the crash.

Mr Salt said extensive head injuries were the main cause of death and returned a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest, Billy’s distraught dad Mark explained how his son had been with friends in Leeds the pervious day and had planned to stay overnight.

But after struggling to sleep it’s believed he set off early to travel to his home in Norfolk Crescent, Failsworth.

Mum Jayne Cooney said: “He was the brainy one of the family and he was just so loved by everyone.

“We can’t turn the clock back — we are simply heartbroken. He lived life to the full and we were taken aback by how many people said they loved him after his death. He was one of those people who just made you smile, he always had a smile on his face.”

Since his death, Billy’s sister Vanessa has motivated family and friends to work tirelessly to raise funds in his memory.

Last year they donated £18,400 to the accident and emergency department at the Royal Oldham Hospital, the biggest single donation by one family. They plan a Failsworth fundraiser in the summer.

Dozens of runners are also preparing to complete this year’s Manchester 10k in his honour.

Having completed a course at the college’s business academy, Billy aspired to be a forensic accountant.

Described as loving and social, he had travelled the globe with his family on exotic holidays, even escaping the Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand in 2004.

The family was forced to flee to safety in the hills of Koh Phi Phi during the devastating flood.

Mrs Cooney added: “We’ll continue to fundraise and keep his name alive.

“We’re doing it for the people that kept him alive, if only just for a few hours.”