The devastated family of a ‘smart, loving’ mother ‘who would do anything for anyone’ and son who died in a horror crash yesterday before Christmas have paid tribute – as a man was arrested by police.
Clair, 42, and Sam, 15, tragically passed away as a result of their injuries at the scene of the serious road traffic collision on Ripponden Road, Oldham yesterday.
Their family have said: ‘Clair was a smart, loving parent, daughter and sister who would do anything for anyone.
‘Prior to the pandemic, Clair worked at the Bolton Theatre, supporting those facing Mental Health challenges.
‘She loved going to pottery class every week and was such a creative person and she could go from a lump of clay to making whatever she put her mind to.’
The devastated family of ‘smart, loving’ mother Clair (pictured), 42, ‘who would do anything for anyone’ and son who died in a horror crash yesterday before Christmas have paid tribute – as a man was arrested by police
Tributing 15-year-old Sam, his family said: ‘Sam was in Year 11, looking forward to studying music at college; he loved to sing and to play the drums. Listening to music was one of Sam’s favourite things to do, he was always around the house with his headphones on.
‘When Sam wasn’t listening to music, he could be found in a world of his own playing on his computer. Sam’s family meant the world to him; he was a brother and son whose loss will leave a hole in our family forever.
‘Christmas without Sam and Clair will be immensely difficult not only for us, but for everybody that knew them both.’
The family asks for privacy as they grieve during this difficult time.
Officers are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after the mother and son sadly lost their lives following a road traffic collision on Ripponden Road in Oldham.
At around 4pm on Saturday December 23, 2023, Greater Manchester Police received reports of a serious road traffic collision between two vehicles on Ripponden Road, Oldham towards Denshaw.
Emergency services attended and two people, Clair and Sam, sadly died at the scene. A 13-year-old child has also suffered serious injuries and has been taken into hospital.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody for questioning.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are now appealing for anyone who may have seen the car, described as a Black BMW X5, or the collision in the Ripponden Road area of Oldham, at around 4pm yesterday afternoon (December 23, 2023) to get in touch to help officers their investigation.
Officers said they are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have footage, including dashcam, mobile phone, CCTV or doorbell footage from the area in the moments before the collision took place.
PC Thomas Johnson, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts continue to remain with their family who are being supported by officers at this really difficult time.
‘If you can help or have any information that may assist our enquiries, then please contact our Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident 2304 of 23/12/2023.
‘Information can also be reported online at www.gmp.police.uk.’
