Wigan mum pays tribute to popular son as family suffers second tragedy

Kyle Croston, 18, lost his fight for life on Sunday, after suffering serious injuries when his off-road motorbike collided with a tree on Warrington Road, Ince, on August 30.

It was the second tragedy for his family after his uncle Craig Croston died at the age of 17 in Appley Bridge’s East Quarry in 1999.

Kyle’s middle name was Craig and he knew all about his uncle, regularly visiting his grave at Westwood Cemetery in Ince with his family.

Now Kyle will be buried alongside him as his devastated family make plans to say goodbye.

His mum - and Craig’s sister - Lindsey Croston said: “I feel like I’m in a bubble. I just feel numb. I feel like it’s a bad dream and that it’s not happening.”

Kyle had always lived in Platt Bridge and attended Platt Bridge Community School and Three Towers Academy.

He was about to begin the third year of a joinery course at Wigan and Leigh College.

He is survived by a close-knit family which includes his mum, dad David Cunningham, siblings Tia, 20, Kian, 13, and Kaydie, nine, and two-year-old niece Miley.

He doted on Miley and had particularly close bonds with his brother Kian and uncle Paul, Lindsey said.

Kyle loved motorbikes, liked going to parties with his friends and enjoyed both film nights and holidays with his girlfriend of three years, Jess Blundell.

He had been due to go on holiday to Zante with friend Brad Roberts the day after the crash.

Lindsey said: “He was bubbly and he had so much respect for everyone. He was so kind and full of life.”

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.

Lindsey 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.”

Kyle was riding his orange KTM 200 EXC off-road bike on Warrington Road when the crash happened shortly before 4.40pm on Sunday August 30.

No other vehicles were involved and his family believes he hit a tree after losing control and steering to avoid a collision with anyone else.

Emergency services treated Kyle and spent 40 minutes working to restart his breathing, before he was taken to Salford Royal Hospital by air ambulance.

Kyle had a head injury and spent two weeks fighting for life in hospital with his family at his side.

David, who stayed at the hospital constantly and even slept there, was there when he died on Sunday.

Well-wishes poured in while Kyle was in intensive care and people are now paying their respects to the popular teen.

His family has received many cards and a large shrine with balloons, flowers and photographs has been created on Woodcock Drive in Platt Bridge, where he spent a lot of time.

A date has not yet been set for the funeral, but an online appeal has been set up to help to pay for it.

A fund-raising event is also being planned for Saturday, which will include a football match on Woodcock Drive and a woman shaving off her hair.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alison-blakeley