The family of a Salford teenager who died when the e-bike he was riding crashed after being followed by police have paid tribute to “the nicest lad about”.
Saul Cookson, 15, collided with an ambulance at about 2pm on Thursday, Greater Manchester police said. They have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, “in line with normal proceedings” when someone has died after contact with police, they said.
Saul’s mother, Emma Frendo, described him as “the most sweetest, kindest boy ever”. She said in a statement: “Saul was a much-loved son, brother, grandson, and nephew, loved by all that met him. He was the sweetest, most kindest boy ever, and always had the biggest infectious smile and was full of love.”
On Friday morning, the street was lined with flowers, cards, candles and written tributes to the boy. Messages on a board of tributes included “RIP a fallen soldier” and “rest easy bruvva”. A sign above the message board read: “Kids on bikes don’t kill.”
Families and individuals arrived to pay their respects, with one man who left flowers saying it was a “tragic incident that should have never happened”. He said: “This is a tragic incident, but no one is to blame. It’s a shame something happened to such a young boy.”
Wesley Haining, whose son was friends with Saul and who said he witnessed the incident, said the boy was chased “fast” down the road with no helmet and was not able to slow down.
Another passerby alleged that the boy was moving at 50mph through residential streets while being chased for 15 minutes by a police vehicle, before colliding with the ambulance.
On Friday, there was no longer any police presence in the area, and passersby were stopping to look at the tributes. One said: “That’s heavy, and he was only 15.”
Saul’s sister, Taylor-Jade Cookson, paid tribute to her “best friend and brother” on social media, writing: “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.”
His cousin Jack Pennington wrote that Saul “had a good heart”. “Everyone who knew Saul knew he was the nicest lad about, had a good heart, polite and have u like no tomorrow,” he wrote. “Can’t believe I’m writing this, no other word describes it other than shock.
“Don’t feel real in the slightest one of the best lads you could meet and I feel lucky to have called u my cousin. Had some good times growing up … can’t believe that’s just it. Shows what a cruel world we’re living in. Miss u forever my brother. Can’t say goodbye just see you later my mate love you RIP Saul my brother.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester police 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, on to 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 said an investigation into the collision was launched after receiving a mandatory referral after a police van followed the e-bike shortly prior to the crash.
He said that Cookson was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2.35pm.
He said that at this stage, the IOPC understands that officers saw the black off-road Sur-Ron e-bike and followed it for a short period before the bike passed through bollards at the end of Lower Seedley Road, which the police vehicle could not pass through.
“There is no indication at this early time in our investigation of direct physical contact between the police vehicle and the e-bike, but examinations of the bike and the police vehicle are continuing,” he said.
The IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: “My heart goes out to Saul’s family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by his tragic death.
“Our investigation will be thorough and independent of the police. It is important that we understand the events leading up to this incident and will be looking at the actions and decision-making of police prior to the collision, including the reason for the decision to follow the bike.
“It is likely that members of the community will have seen the collision, or events leading up to it, and I would urge anyone with information to speak to us.”
On Friday, North West ambulance service (NWAS) said the ambulance involved, which was previously reported to have been parked, was travelling back to base when the collision occurred.
NWAS said: “We can confirm that an ambulance was involved in a collision with a young person who was riding an electric bike on Langworthy Road in Salford at around 2pm on Thursday.
“The patient received medical treatment immediately by the ambulance crew and was transported to hospital, where he sadly later died. We are participating fully in the police investigation. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the young person’s family.”
Last month, two boys, Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, were killed in an e-bike collision after being followed by a police van in Cardiff, leading to a riot.
