Tributes to a kind, loving son
Date published: 16 June 2009
TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of a ‘diamond’ teenager who was on track to get top grades in his GCSEs.
Christopher Dale (15), from Bramble Avenue, Moorside, was killed on Saturday when he was in collision with a Mini Cooper as he crossed Lees Road junction with Wellyhole Street at 10.15pm.
The Year 10 pupil at Blue Coat School had been expected to achieve As and A*s in his exams next year.
His parents Michael and Andrea, and 17-year-old sister Rebecca, said they were ‘absolutely and utterly devastated’.
Mrs Dale said: “Christopher was kind, funny and very loving, with a brilliant sense of humour and who loved playing the guitar.
“We will miss him so much, I don’t know how we are ever going to cope.
“He was such a bright boy, I knew he would be able to go far.
“This has robbed us of our chance of finding out.
“We want to thank Blue Coat School because he really enjoyed being there and they made him the young man he was.”
Julie Hollis, headteacher, described him as a “wonderful, lovely young man, a diamond.”
She said: “Chris was a shining example of what a good person should be and of how to live your life in faith and love. He had the ability to balance his life and live it to the full.
“Academically he was a high-achiever, showing dedication and determination to make the most of his natural talent and ability.
“At the same time he was very sociable, very popular, learning to play the guitar, enjoying time as a teenager with his friends.
“He was kind, empathetic, considerate of others, including adults — someone who looked after other people and encourage and supported them.
“He touched the lives of many people, students and staff, at Blue Coat, and will be missed by all of us.”
Mrs Hollis said staff had been providing support for pupils yesterday, some of whom were visibly upset.
A celebration of Christopher’s life and what he meant to his friends and the school has been planned.
Hundreds of school pals have set up tribute pages on social networking site Faceboook.
Tributes read: “Such a legend, god bless mate’” and “RIP sweety, you will never be forgotten and you will be in our hearts and prayers”.
Floral tributes have also been laid at the scene of the accident by weeping friends and fellow pupils.
Laura Burlison (20), from Lees Road, whose brother Joe was friends with Chris, said: “He was a really big fan of the Arctic Monkeys and indie music in general but they were his favourites.
“He was talking about final wishes on Saturday and said the one thing he wanted to do was see the band.”
The stretch of Lees Road now has a shocking death toll of eight lives in 15 years and numerous less serious incidents.
In 2004 Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, called for an urgent review by council and police to see if safety features could be installed along the blackspot.
Councillor Mark Alcock, member for environment and infrastructure, said Lees Road, like all roads in Oldham, was monitored regularly.
He said: “Following MP Phil Woolas’ call for this stretch of road to be investigated, officers carried out speed tests and found that the average speed of Westbound vehicles had actually substantially decreased since the previous tests done in 2002.”
Witnesses to the collision are asked to call the Road Policing Unit on 0161 856 8473.
