Greater Manchester Police issue update after parent and son killed in crash
A driver who was arrested after a parent and son were killed in a crash in Oldham[1] has been released on bail, police have confirmed. Clair, 42, and son Sam, 15[2], suffered catastrophic injuries following the major crash on Ripponden Road, near junction 22 for the M62[3] towards Denshaw, at around 4pm on Saturday (December 23). Emergency crews rushed to the scene but tragically, they both died.
Another child – aged 13 – was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after the two-car crash. A 35-year-old man – the driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle, a BMW – was arrested on the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, police said previously.
In an update issued this morning, a spokesperson for the force said he had since been bailed.
Following their deaths, Clair and Sam’s family paid a touching tribute to them. Clair has been remembered as a ‘smart and loving parent, daughter and sister’ who would ‘do anything for anyone.’ Teenage son Sam was in his last year of school and hoped of studying music in college. Paying tribute, their family said in a statement: “Clair was a smart, loving parent, daughter and sister who would do anything for anyone.
Prior to the pandemic, Clair worked at the Bolton[6] Theatre, supporting those facing Mental Health challenges.
The crash happened on Ripponden Road (Image: Manchester Evening News)
“She loved going to pottery class every week and was such a creative person and she could go from a lump of clay to making whatever she put her mind to. “Sam was in Year 11, looking forward to studying music at college; he loved to sing and to play the drums. Listening to music was one of Sam’s favourite things to do, he was always around the house with his headphones on.
“When Sam wasn’t listening to music, he could be found in a world of his own playing on his computer. Sam’s family meant the world to him; he was a brother and son whose loss will leave a hole in our family forever. Christmas[7] without Sam and Clair will be immensely difficult not only for us, but for everybody that knew them both.” Greater Manchester Police[8] are continuing to appeal for information, urging any witnesses to come forward and report it to them as they investigate the fatal collision.
PC Thomas Johnson, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts continue to remain with their family who are being supported by officers at this really difficult time. “If you can help or have any information that may assist our enquiries, then please contact our Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident 2304 of 23/12/2023. Information can also be reported online at www.gmp.police.uk.”
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References
- ^ Oldham (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Clair, 42, and son Sam, 15 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ The 25 Greater Manchester surnames that could land you a fortune in unclaimed estates (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ I survived Boxing Day sales at the Trafford Centre – this is what I learnt (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Bolton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ by clicking here (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^