DOUBLE ROAD CRASH HORROR
A24-YEAR-OLD man has died and a seven-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital fol
lowing two separate road crashes in the Valley.
Tributes have been paid to Kristian Johnson, 24, who died at the scene after being in a collision with a car on Market Street, Bacup, adjacent to the Texaco service station on Monday.
Just a day later a youngster - who has not been named - was taken to Alder Hey Hospital after being in a separate collision with a car on Pennine Road in Bacup.
He is thought to have suffered a fractured eye socket and collarbone.
AMUM has paid a heartfelt tribute to her son, who died following a tragic latenight collision.
Kristian Johnson, 24, died at the scene on Market Street, Bacup adjacent to the Texaco service station, at around 1am on Monday, June 17 after being in a collision with a car.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. She has been released under investigation.
Kristian, from Weir, was Paula Johnson’s only child and his father Gary, known as Gus, died ten years ago.
Paula described her son’s sudden death as “soul-destroying”.
She said: “Kristian was full of life. He was passionate about doing the right thing – he was lovely and caring. For me he was the best.
“We had a really close bond as there was only me and him for a long time.
“He was just my everything. I didn’t think I could share that love with anyone, so I only had one child. It’s hundreds of people saying remarkable things about him, not just me because I’m his mum. I didn’t know he had so many friends.
“This is a funeral I never thought I would be planning.”
Paula, who also lives in Weir, said Kristian had only recently begun to
come to terms with his dad’s death. he said: “He very recently came to terms with it. He was just moving on with his life.
“He had gone out with his friends, who said they made some of the best memories.”
To add to Paula’s pain, her mobile phone, a silver iPhone 10, which contained all her recent pictures of him, was with Kristian and has not been recovered. She is desperately appealing for its return.
Kristian worked with his mum as a sales administrator at John Cotton Group in West Yorkshire.
His aunt Nicola Naughton, Paula’s twin sister, also added her tribute to her “gorgeous” nephew who had everything to live for.
She said: “He was such a lovely lad and I just can’t believe he has gone.
“My family and friends are broken - life will never be the same. We are all so close but this has ripped us apart.
“Most of all I just want to tell my twin sister Paula that I love her so very much and as a family we will stay strong for her.
“Rest in Peace Kristian, we love you so very much and we will make sure your memory lives on.”
Other family and friends have left flowers and messages at the scene.
A tribute from Lorna read: “Kris, it’s impossible for me to write our story on a postcard so I’m not even going to try. Just know how much I loved you, from being together and meeting your parents to being there for each other as friends. All my love, Lorna.”
Another from Kristian’s grandparents read: “To our gorgeous grandson Kristian. We will love you always, you will never be forgotten and always in our hearts.”
A fundraiser set up to pay for Kristian’s funeral by his cousin Duane O’Grady raised the £1,000 target in just 14 hours.
Lancashire Police has launched an investigation into the crash.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a collision in Bacup.
“A white Suzuki Alto was involved in a collision with a male pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 24-yearold local man, sadly died at the scene.
“The driver of the Suzuki, a 19-year-old woman from Bacup was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. She is currently in police custody.”
Sergeant Andy Ainsworth, of Lancashire Police, said: “An investigation is underway following a fatal collision in Bacup. A man has died and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to support the man’s family.
“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken with police to come forward.
“I am particularly interested in speaking to a group of males who stopped at the scene – they may have information useful to our investigation.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log reference 69 of June 17.