Driver loses fight for life

A 20-year-old man has lost his fight for life nearly two weeks after being seriously injured in a road smash.

Karl Stephen Taylor, from Hazelhurst, near Ashton, had been in a critical condition since his car hit a tree in Lees New Road, Holts, on Sunday, May 16. He died on Friday at Hope Hospital, Salford.

Mr Taylor’s father Stephen, mum Tracy, brothers Darren and Rhys, sister Natasha, grandma Christine and girl friend Sarah say he will be sadly missed. They say he loved music, cars and motor-cycles.

The Peugeot 306 car struck a tree shortly after travelling over a mini-roundabout, near the junction with Wildmoor Avenue.

Fire-fighters had to cut the unconscious Mr Taylor free and he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital suffering from serious head injuries before being transferred to Hope Hospital.

Three passengers managed to get out of the car before fire-fighters arrived.

A 23-year-old man suffered a minor head injury and a fractured pelvis. A 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.