Trent was my champ, my son and best friend
HeartbrOKen dad’s tribute as talented bOXer, 17, dies after being hit bY car
A HEARTBROKEN dad has paid tribute to his 17-year-old son, who died after being knocked down by a car in Oldham, saying: “He was my champ.”
Trent Warburton suffered fatal injuries – while his 19-year-old cousin was seriously hurt – in the horrific crash on Oldham Road near Junction 22 of the M60 in the early hours of Saturday.
The pals were on a bicycle heading back to Trent’s home when they were hit by a grey Vauxhall Insignia at around 2.55am.
The driver fled the scene and five minutes later police received a report of an Insignia in a collision with a taxi in Failsworth.
The driver then fled on foot and abandoned the car.
Later, police arrested a 27-yearold man nearby on suspicion of dangerous driving and drinkdriving. He remained in custody for questioning.
Yesterday morning, a crowd including Trent’s dad Terry Warburton came to the scene of the crash.
Among the flowers and balloons was a pair of boxing gloves and a picture Trent Warburton in boxing pose and, right, tributes at the scene of the crash of Trent with his trainer and mentor Marvin Greaves. Trent, from Oldham. was a talented boxer who had won a number of medals and was due to fight again on December 1.
Speaking to the M.E.N. back at Team Greaves boxing gym in Bourne Street, Oldham, Terry said: “He was my champ. He was my son and my best friend. I love him and I miss him. There’s no other words.”
His family said in a statement: “Trent was the much-loved son of Terry Warburton and Janine Cave. Brother to Shannon, Terrell, Tamara, Tiana, Tessa and Maulakai. Our son was our blue eyed golden boy with his cheeky smile that got him away with almost anything with his mum. He was his dad’s right hand man and his best friend.
“He trained hard at Marvin’s Gym (Team Greaves) for a number of years and he well and truly looked up to his trainer with lots of love and respect.
“He was a polite, well respected young man who has touched the lives of many people in Oldham and the love we have felt from the Oldham community has been very heart-warming.
“We have to live with this loss for the rest of our lives. It’s left us all as a family truly devastated and our lives will never be the same again. Forever in our hearts. Trent, we love you xx.”
Trent was working as a roofer after achieving qualifications at Oldham College and was about to turn 18 in a matter of weeks.
He also left behind six devastated siblings, including an older sister who recently gave birth to a nephew Trent will never meet.
Marvin Greaves added: “He has been boxing since the age of five.
“He had a bright future – he was an up and coming champ.”
Marvin said his gym will be helping towards funeral costs and fundraising to leave a permanent memorial to Trent.
Trent was among three people – including an eight-year-old girl – to die in a day of tragedy on the region’s roads. Four others were injured including two schoolgirls in Heywood aged 11 and 12 who remain in a critical condition.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said yesterday: “Over the past 24 hours there have been multiple serious collisions across Greater Manchester.
“A number of people have sadly lost their lives and even more tragically this has included children, with one as young as eight-yearsold.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends who have lost someone, as well as those who are at hospital with loved ones who are critically ill.
“I also want to recognise the actions of first responders, along with our communities, who have no doubt been affected themselves.
“We are still in the early stages of establishing the circumstances surrounding these collisions but I think they serve as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety.
“It is, and will continue to be, a priority for GMP and we are dedicated to not only policing the roads but also working with partners to educate people on its importance.”
Police continue to investigate the collision which left Trent dead and have urged anyone who may have seen the Insignia on Friday night to get in touch.
Inspector Danny Byrne, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a horrific set of events that tragically took the life of a teenager and has left another fighting for his life and we are doing all we can to support their families at this unimaginably difficult time.
“We immediately deployed several resources to the scenes and while we have a man in custody, our enquiries are still in the early stages and remain ongoing.
“I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch. If you think you saw the Insignia in the area or witnessed either of these collisions, please call police as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information can call GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting reference number 339 of 10/11/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.