Tributes have been paid to a 15-year-old boy who died when his e-bike crashed into a parked ambulance. Saul Cookson, who has been named locally, was taken to hospital after the incident in Langworthy Road, Salford, on Thursday, June 8, but died shortly after.
Traffic officers had been following the boy along Fitzwarren Street and Lower Seedley Road at around 2pm, until bollards prevented the chase from proceeding, The MEN reports. Saul then ran into the ambulance on nearby Langworthy Road.
Greater Manchester Police has now referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is leading an investigation into the crash. The boy has not been officially identified by GMP as of yet.
But Saul's sister Taylor-Jade led the tributes on Instagram. She wrote: "Seriously can’t believe I'm typing this right now. I'm lost for words and don't know what to say.
"Just so crazy how it happened. In one blink he was gone. He was way too young and shouldn't have gone at 15. He was seriously my best friend and brother in one. Even though he did annoy me we had the best memories and will never be forgotten.
"I'm so proud to call you MY brother and you will always be in my mind and by my side. Such a cruel world and how fast it happened I was literally just talking to my mum and it just happened in one blink after all the good memories and I wish we could've made more but all of them are still in my heart. Rest easy Saul."
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the family with funeral costs. The page's creator Kelly Mcelroy wrote: "As I'm sure the news has now filtered down please guys let's help [Saul's parents] as much as we can towards the costs for Saul's funeral.
"No parents should bury their child especially in these circumstances, this family is one of our own so lets dig deep and help as much as we can. Any contribution will help. The last thing this family need is to worry about this. Thank you in advance."
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police spokesman said on Thursday evening: "At around 2pm on Thursday, GMP traffic officers began following a boy riding an e-bike along Fitzwarren Street in Salford, onto Lower Seedley Road. Bollards prevented the police vehicle from continuing to follow the e-bike.
"A short time later a road traffic collision occurred between the e-bike and an ambulance on Langworthy Road. The 15-year-old boy riding the e-bike sadly died.
"In line with normal proceedings, the incident has been referred to IOPC who are now leading the investigation. A cordon remains in place on Langworthy Road. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died."
An IOPC spokesperson added: "We are independently investigating the circumstances of a serious collision involving an e-bike and an ambulance in Salford on Thursday.
"The rider of the bike, a 15-year-old boy, was taken to hospital where he sadly died. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragedy.
"We were notified by Greater Manchester Police due to the fact a police vehicle had been following the e-bike shortly before the collision. We have sent investigators to the scene of the collision, at the junction of Langworthy Road and Lower Seedley Road, as well as to the police post-incident procedures, to begin gathering evidence.
"Our investigation is at a very early stage and we will provide further details once we are in a position to do so."
