Family tell of grief over crash victim
AHEARTBROKEN family have spoken of their grief after a promising young man died in a crash in Marland.
Salih Mehmed, 25, from Bulgaria, was the front seat passenger of a red Seat Ibiza when it left the road and crashed into a tree near Springfield Park on Monday, December 12.
Bulgarian-born Salih was taken to hospital after the smash on Bolton Road at about 10.50pm, but died the next day.
Paying tribute to him, his aunt Sevinc told how the family were devastated by the death of the ‘easy-going and cheerful’ young graduate who had been hoping to build a successful life in the UK.
She said: “Salih’s parents are devastated and unable to find the strength to talk about it.
“They fall in tears and are unable to come to terms with the death of their son.
“They are in shock and are grieving. Salih is their oldest son.
“He has a younger brother aged 16. He was a very quiet and sensible man.
“He was blonde, tall, good looking, lively and down to earth.
“He was easy-going, always cheerful and friendly with people surrounding him.
“He was intelligent and would never say anything bad to hurt anyone.
“He would always talk softly.”
Salih’s family explained how he was brought up in Aytos, Bulgaria, where he excelled at volleyball and later went on to university.
Sevinc added: “As a young and ambitious student, he made enquiries and upon completion of the third year of university, he travelled to the UK. He found work at Argos in Heywood via an agency in July last year.
“He told his parents that he would travel to the UK and make his future there.
“He told them that in the UK, there are more opportunities and that he would continue with his education in the UK - that was a dream come true for him.
“Unfortunately, my precious nephew did not live to see that dream come true. He had his whole life to live ahead of him.”
The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man, sustained minor bruising, which did not require hospital treatment.
A 23-year-old man travelling in the back of the car was uninjured after the crash.
Police are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
Sgt Paul Higgins of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “My thoughts remain with Salih’s family during this heart-breaking time and I’d like to thank them for their bravery and support as we continue with the investigation.
“We are continuing with our enquiries and I’m urging anyone who has information about the collision or anyone who saw the Seat Ibiza driving prior to the collision to get in touch.
“We believe the car travelled from Heywood Distribution Centre to Pilsworth Road before turning right onto York Street, then onto Rochdale Road East, before the collision on Bolton Road.”
Anyone with information should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741.