The family of a teenager who died after being hit by a tram in Oldham say their lives 'will never be the same again' and 'he never failed to brighten a room with his smile and charm'.
William John Cooke, who was the eldest of four children, was fatally injured near Shaw and Crompton Metrolink stop just before 6am last Friday morning (January 17).
Emergency services raced to the scene but, despite their best efforts, paramedics were unable to save the 19-year-old, who was an apprentice at Hopwood Hall College and employed by Makin Metal Powders.
His devastated family have released an emotional statement, detailing his life and expressing how 'heartbroken' and 'empty' they feel.
It reads: "He was the best big brother James, Callum and Alicia could ask for and was adored by his grandparents, aunties, uncles and many cousins.
"William went to Rushcroft Primary School until year 4 and then moved to Crompton Primary School. He attended Royton and Crompton Secondary school where he gained his GCSEs and made many friends.
"He then attended Hopwood Hall College at the Middleton campus where he excelled himself and was awarded a Further Education award in 2017 for Mechanical Engineering Progress.
"He worked at McDonald's before gaining an apprenticeship at Makin Metal Powders in Rochdale. He loved his jobs and his colleagues.
"After turning 18, he loved to go out at the weekend with his many friends, who cared for him deeply. His main hobbies were gaming and collecting watches.
"In July last year he went to Cancun, Mexico, with his partner Jordan. He loved the whole holiday, but a highlight for them was swimming with the dolphins.
"Life will never be the same, he’s been taken far too soon. Our baby boy was loved by so many and never failed to brighten a room with his smile and charm.
"No words will ever express how we feel - heartbroken and empty.
"Spread your wings son and light the sky with your smile, forever in our hearts and never to be forgotten. Good night, sleep tight our son."
Flowers, candles and other tributes have been left at the tram stop near to where William died in the days following the tragedy.
Greater Manchester Police have said that they are treating William's death as non-suspicious and enquiries are ongoing to establish how he came to be on the tracks.
The incident has also been referred to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 395 of 17/01/2020, or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A GoFundMe page has been set up, with the permission of William's family, to help towards funeral costs. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/jmaprr-for-william.
Images by Nigel Wood
Body found in flat fire in Hollins
Council set to gather traffic information around local primary school
Local people encouraged to have a say to improve travel in town
Police offer advice after rise in family gold burglaries
