Hundreds of people turn out to say goodbye to motorbike-loving Wigan teen

They joined a horse-drawn carriage, several stretch limousines and other cars as they made their way to the funeral of 18-year-old Kyle Croston.

The keen motorcyclist died in hospital on Sunday, September 13, two weeks after being seriously injured when he lost control of his KTM 200 EXC off-road bike on Warrington Road in Ince.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Croston family’s home in Platt Bridge on Thursday afternoon, close to where a large shrine of balloons, flowers, photographs and other items had been created for Kyle.

Many wore smart three-piece suits while others donned T-shirts bearing photographs of Kyle.

The procession set off from Woodcock Drive and traffic came to a standstill as mourners made their way to Wigan Crematorium, in Lower Ince.

Kyle travelled in the horse-drawn carriage, in a white coffin featuring photographs of him on his motorbike.

After the service, Kyle was laid to rest at Westwood Cemetery alongside his uncle Craig Croston, who was just 17 when he drowned at Appley Bridge’s East Quarry in 1999.

It was a fitting resting place as although Kyle was born after his uncle’s death, he knew all about him and his middle name was Craig in his honour.

Kyle, who was about to begin the third year of a joinery course at Wigan and Leigh College, was part of a close family and his death has devastated them.

He loved motorbikes, going to parties with his friends and spending time with his girlfriend of three years, Jess Blundell.

Kyle liked to help others and had played in a charity football match on the day of the crash.

He had also been involved in fund-raising in memory of his close friend Billy Livesley, who was murdered in December 2018.

Paying tribute to her son after his death, Kyle’s heartbroken mum Lindsey Croston said: “He would do anything to help anybody. That’s the kind of boy that he was. If he could help you in any way, he would help you.

“He was the life and soul of the party. The bond I had with him was unbelievable.”

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