Heartbreak
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 24 September 2010
MOVING tributes have been paid to a 19-year-old driver who lost his life in a horror car smash.
Billy Darren Cooney, from Failsworth, suffered severe head injuries after his Vauxhall Corsa slammed into railings at the Elk Mill roundabout slip road at 5am yesterday.
The Chronicle reported yesterday how firefighters battled to save Billy’s life as they cut him free from the wreckage. Tragically, he died a short time later at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
The accident happened where the motorway link road joins Broadway, around 200 yards from Chadderton Fire Station, and as the Corsa was travelling south-bound.
Distraught family and friends flocked to the scene yesterday to leave floral tributes and poignant messages to the former Oldham College student. Jane Parnell and family said: “A lovely godson. Sleep peacefully, going to miss you lots.” Nanna and grandad Jones wrote: “To my precious grandson, love you, will always love you.”
Website tributes included messages from Daniel Lester saying: “The nicest, most popular lad I’ve ever met.
“You’ll never be forgotten,” and from Katie Priestley adding: “He was the nicest lad anyone could ever know, RIP Billy, you’ll be loved and missed forever.”
Last year Billy graduated from Oldham College’s Career Academy.
He was one of seven proud business students presented with certificates by Sir Winfried Bischoff, former chairman of the global financial services firm Citigroup, during a ceremony at Westminster and praised by Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher.
The two-year scheme aims to raise the aspirations of 16-19-year-olds and included a six-week internship with firms such as The Bank of New York Mellon.
Witnesses to the collision are asked to call the Road Policing Unit on 0161 856 4873.
