Dozens turn out to say goodbye to Wigan dad who died in car crash

Traffic came to a standstill as a large procession made its way to Westwood Cemetery in Ince this afternoon (October 9) for the funeral of Patrick Connors, known as Paddy.

Friends and family carried his coffin part way into the cemetery while singing and chanting his name.

Cars could also be heard beeping and revving in commemoration while lorries also drove by with flowers and photos of Paddy.

Meanwhile, some pubs took to social media to say they had closed on the advice of the authorities.

It was reported crowds started gathering on Derby Road in Golborne last night (October 8) ahead of the funeral.

This is despite there being restrictions on how many people can attend a funeral due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wigan Council warned motorists there could be traffic disruption and encouraged people to leave extra time for their journeys.

A police spokesman said: "On Thursday, October 8, officers received reports of a possible breach of the Covid-19 regulations.

"Officers attended a property on Derby Road, Golborne and respectfully and sensitively engaged with the group advising them of the current restrictions in place.

"The group later dispersed."

Paddy, 36, who lived in Wigan, died in a smash which happened on Frederick Road in Salford at 11.40pm on Wednesday, September 23.

His friend Thomas Sharpe, known as Tommy, also died, while three people in another car were injured.

The men were travelling in a Mercedes C class car when the collision happened.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is looking into the incident and initial inquiries revealed the emergency lights and siren on an unmarked car from Greater Manchester Police were used to signal for the Mercedes to stop.

Following a short pursuit, which lasted less than one minute along Lower Broughton Street and Frederick Road, the Mercedes collided with two cars, both VW Passats, which were travelling in the opposite direction.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a taxi, had minor injuries. Two women, who were passengers in the back of the taxi, were taken to hospital with serious injuries, which were not thought to be life-threatening.

The driver of the second VW Passat was uninjured.

Inquests into the deaths of both Paddy and Tommy have been opened at Bolton Coroner’s Court and adjourned until a later date yet to be set.