Hundreds pay respects to tragic teenager
HUNDREDS braved the elements to pay their respects to a teenager who died in a river tragedy.
Adam Kay, 14, died after jumping into the River Irwell at Clifton Country Park in Salford on June 2.
The teenager loved motorbikes, so the hearse was flanked by dozens of riders as he made his final journey in a modified sidecar from his family home in Clifton Street, Kearsley, to Bolton’s Overdale Crematorium.
The bikers made a guard of honour as they passed group after group of friends and family who had lined the streets.
The procession paused outside the home of Adam’s grandparents, who were unable to play a full part in the funeral because of the coronavirus lockdown.
It also stopped at Harper Green School, in Farnworth, to allow tearful classmates to say their final farewells to a pupil who should have been coming back to start Year 10 in September.
Because of the lockdown, only a handful of his closest relatives were able to attend the service at the crematorium.
A funeral celebrant recounted memories from loved ones.
“He was lovable, he was cheeky and he was funny,” she said.
“Adam had just turned 14 in May and he was living the life of any happy, healthy 14-year-old.
“He was a popular lad with too many friends to mention everyone by name.”
She added: “Adam wasn’t an angel but nobody is, he wasn’t a devil either, he was a cheeky, happy young lad.
“For everything he’s been to each one of you, a son, grandson, brother, friend, student, you will always be grateful and you will never be without that little ray of sunshine.”