Bikers killed in head-on smash
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 23 August 2010
TWO motorcyclists died after crashing head on into each other in a freak accident in Saddleworth.
One of the riders in the horrific crash on the A6052 Delph Road on Saturday was 17-year-old Joseph Samuel Smith whose mum left a heartbreaking tribute at the scene, including 17 roses — one for every year of his life.
Ambulance staff pronounced both men dead at the scene, between Denshaw and Delph, about a quarter of a mile from the junction of Wham Lane.
The 60mph speed limit road is popular with motorcyclists. But it is rare for a head-on smash between motorcycles.
Witnesses described the terrible scene after coming across the crash at 3.40pm. One of the motorbikes had an L plate on.
A midwife, who travels along the road to work at Leeds General Hospital, was the next to stop after another motorcyclist who wasn’t involved.
She said: “I was the first car. I came round the corner and saw three bikers. One in the middle of the road was slowing me down and I could see a bike and two bodies in the road. As a midwife I thought I could do CPR or something and ran over. The first guy was in a bad way and the other was dead.
“It was absolutely horrible. There was nothing I could do. We just had to wait for the ambulance and police.
“I just feel for the families. It’s absolutely devastating.”
A man who also stopped at the scene to help said: “One lady told the police she had seen one motorcyclist past and looked in her mirror and saw the collision. She said it was head-on.
“The bikes were destroyed. It was horrific. The poor guys.”
Joseph’s mum left a tribute saying: “To Joe, my beautiful darling 17-year-old baby.
“Life will never be the same without you.
“I will miss you every single day. One rose for every year of our precious life together.”
The victims have not yet been formally identified by police.
Any witnesses are asked to call traffic police on 0161-856 8743.
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