‘One minute he was here now he’s gone’

A college friend of a teenager who died in a horror car crash has paid tribute to a wonderful pal.

Mohammed Zain (17), from Coppice, had been celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid-Ul-Adha hours before the accident, according to fellow student Sanya Shafiq.

Mohammed was taken to hospital after sustaining a serious head injury when the Peugeot 307 he was a passenger in collided with a telegraph pole on the A640 Huddersfield Road in Denshaw.

The Oldham College student died in hospital a short time after the accident, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning.

Sanya (17), who saw Mohammed at 8.30pm on Sunday — hours before the accident, said : “He and his friends hired a car.

“They were on their way to Bradford to celebrate Eid.

“I got a call from my mate who is at Oldham College. It was such a shock.

“We were good friends, we had been linking up for three years.”

Tributes have since poured in on friends’ Facebook pages. Three other people were taken to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

“He was a really good guy, wonderful to be with,” added Sanya. “The last time I met him was on Wilmslow Road before he set off for Bradford.

“He gave me a hug and wished me Eid Mubarak. One minute he was here and now he’s gone.

“Everyone is missing him. He was really great, cheerful and nice to be with.

“He just cheered everyone up.

“Rest in peace, Zain. We will miss you.”

The 18-year-old driver, who was arrested after the accident, has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information should contact the Road Policing Unit on 0161-856 8473 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.