Crash victim was care home worker ‘with kindest soul’
AMAN who tragically died after a crash on the M60 was an ‘incredible care home worker’ with the ‘kindest soul,’ with emotional tributes continuing to flood in.
Anthony Pilling, 37, who was from Gorton, died on New Year’s Eve after the major collision that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 30. The car he was driving was in collision with another vehicle on the anticlockwise carriageway of the M60, near Stockport.
National Highways said at the time that the car struck a near-side barrier, overturned and ended up on its roof. Anthony was cut free from the wreckage and taken to Salford Royal Hospital but he died the following day.
In an emotional tribute after his death, his grieving family described him as ‘one in a billion.’ They said: “Anthony was the life and soul of any room he walked in to; he would have you crying with laughter with his little one-liners.
“Our Ant lived his life to the fullest and danced like nobody was watching. He was one in a billion and if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.”
It is now understood that Anthony was a care worker based at Oakfield Croft care home in Sale. Following his death, scores of tributes have continued to flood in on social media, many of whom had family members at the home, remembering him as ‘incredible’ and ‘the kindest soul.’
One woman said: “From day one, Anthony here and all the amazing team gave mum the best best love and care. Anthony was an absolute rock to helping settle mum and they became best friends.”
Another penned: “I’m absolutely devastated for his family. He was the funniest, kindest soul and I’m so glad I have so many funny and happy memories.”
As a third wrote: “Anthony was incredible with my Grandma at Oakfield Care Home, I know she will miss him terribly, as will we all. Anthony, you were the life and soul at Oakfield, thank you so much for looking after my Grandma and making her laugh and feel safe every day. Sleep tight Anthony, you were a true hero in our eyes.”
After the fatal collision, at around 5.41am, the motorway was closed between junctions 25 and 24. The driver of the other vehicle involved remained at the scene to assist police. Mr Pilling’s death has been referred to the coroner.
Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the incident, to come forward and help with enquiries.
Information can be shared by calling GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 662-30/12/2023. You can also report information to GMP’s website using the ‘report’ tool www.gmp.police.uk.