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CRAIG Franklin with daughter Mia.
Car crash claims life of young dad
James Ferguson30/ 5/2007
THE partner of Craig Franklin, who died in a car crash in Royton on Saturday, has paid tribute to her "fun-loving family man".
Becky Morville said: "Craig and I have been together for five years and have a beautiful three year-old daughter, Mia. We had recently bought our first home together and we were looking forward to the future.
"Craig was a mechanic by trade and loved everything about cars. He would always repair cars for family and friends but had been working for his uncle as a builder for the past 18 months.
"He was a fun-loving family man who enjoyed life and had many friends. Craig was a great Dad to Mia, a fantastic son to Jackie and Jud, a great brother to Laura and George and adored his family."
Police are still trying to establish whether the 23-year-old was at the wheel when his VW Golf hit a bus shelter, before colliding with a lamp-post, flipping over on to its roof and crashing into a tree on Broadway, near Oldham Athletic's football ground.
Craig, of Sycamore Avenue, Chadderton, suffered head injuries which proved fatal, and two other passengers in their early 20s were seriously hurt.
Nearby residents rushed from their homes when they heard the crash and two of them smashed a side window in the car to pull a man from the front passenger seat. He escaped with just a cut to his head.
Both of the other injured men are now recovering in hospital, with one suffering a broken back and the other a serious head injury.
One resident said: "I heard a bang and saw the car was on its roof, with its back wheels up against a tree.
"It had demolished a lamp-post and turned over. It was lucky no one else was killed.
"Another neighbour and myself pulled one lad out and he just had a cut to his head.
"He was obviously in shock after seeing what had happened to his mates."
Floral tributes from friends and family had appeared at the scene of the accident on Sunday.
One read: "I can't believe you are gone son. Never forget you."
- POLICE are appealing for anyone who saw the accident, or who has information which could help them, to telephone 0161 856 8473.
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31/05/2007 at 17:54
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11/06/2007 at 09:05