Saul Cookson died on Thursday afternoon in hospital
By Rowan Bridge, Ian Shoesmith, Paul Burnell & Lynette Horsburgh
BBC News
A boy who died after being followed by police on his e-bike and then colliding with an ambulance has been named locally as 15-year-old Saul Cookson.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said traffic officers followed the teenager in Salford on Thursday afternoon until bollards blocked their vehicle’s path.
The boy rode on before his e-bike was in collision with the ambulance, said North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating.
The boy was followed by officers along Fitzwarren Street and on to Lower Seedley Road at about 14:00 BST before the crash on Langworthy Road.
Image source, Manchester Evening News
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Thursday’s collision
While not on an active call at the time of the crash, NWAS said its vehicle was being driven back to a nearby ambulance station.
Its crew were immediately able to treat the boy before taking him to hospital, where he later died.
A bike lay in the road nearby.
Image source, MEN
Police examine the scene of the crash
Taylor-Jade Cookson paid tribute to her brother.
“Words cannot describe my feelings at the moment,” she wrote on Facebook. “Rest in peace Saul I love you.”
Dozens of people have been leaving flowers and cards at the scene.
Two sapphire blue, heart-shaped balloons have been tied at the foot of a lamppost, along with flowers, candles, cards and a large white banner full of handwritten messages.
Notes include “RIP brother” and “Forever remembered rest easy”.
Another, circled with red hearts, simply reads “Gone but not forgotten”.
GMP said officers followed the teenager until bollards blocked their path
One of Saul’s relatives who attended the scene to lay flowers said the family was “a mess” following their loss.
Saul’s friend, 21-year-old Mitchell Murden, said he had been due to meet him on the day he died.
He described Saul as “a good lad” who “kept himself to himself”.
Heartfelt messages have been left at the crash scene
Family friend Jacob Bailey, 19, told BBC Newsbeat he also came to lay some flowers and pay his respects.
“I’ve known Saul since I was about five,” he said. “He was just one of those proper nice kids. He never ever caused anyone any harm.
“No-one had a bad word to say about Saul. It is tragic news.
“I just don’t believe it. He had so much to live for and in the blink of an eye it’s just all … 15 is no age, is it?”
Saul’s friend Jacob Bailey said no-one had a bad word to say about him
Mr Bailey said he went to the hospital after discovering what had happened and saw his parents there “in bits”.
Neighbour Karen Cosgrove said she had passed the scene at about 14:30 BST on Thursday and saw Saul lying on the ground.
She added: “I walked away, I could barely look at it. His mum was there, she was screaming. Everyone’s in shock.”
Flowers and candles have also been left at the scene
Some concerns have been expressed by local people about the availability and use of high-powered e-bikes.
Mr Murden said “the majority” of young people in the area had them.
Mike McCusker, lead member for transport at Salford City Council, said there was “growing concern” in the community about e-bikes particularly “very young men riding round without helmets on”.
“The ones we have on our loan schemes are limited to about 14-15mph but there are unregulated ones that can go up to speeds of 60mph.
“We don’t think regulation is keeping track with the technological advancements around e-bikes.”
‘Gathering evidence’
In a statement, GMP said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who tragically died.”
The IOPC, which oversees police conduct, said it was “independently investigating the circumstances of a serious collision involving an e-bike and an ambulance in Salford”.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as all those affected by this tragedy,” its spokesman said.
“We were notified by Greater Manchester Police due to the fact a police vehicle had been following the e-bike shortly before the collision.
“We have sent investigators to the scene of the collision, at the junction of Langworthy Road and Lower Seedley Road, as well as to the police post-incident procedures, to begin gathering evidence.”
He added the IOPC would provide “further details once we are in a position to do so”.
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