Heartbroken family and friends bid tearful goodbye to footballer, 14, found dead on motorway
Sam Berkley was discovered unconscious next to the M67 in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, with 'unsurvivable' injuries
HEARTBROKEN family and friends have bid a tearful goodbye to a footballer, 14, who was found dead on a motorway.
Sam Berkley was discovered unconscious next to the M67 in Hyde, Gtr Manchester, this month and suffered what cops described as "unsurvivable" injuries.
The Audenshaw School student, who had also just started playing for Hattersley Football Club, was rushed to hospital but tragically died.
And mourners lined the streets around Christ Church in Denton as the Manchester United fan was laid to rest today.
Two black horses draped in United flags led the procession, which arrived at the church at 1pm, reports.
The tragic lad’s coffin bore the words “The Theatre of Dreams” – the nickname for United’s stadium, Old Trafford.
Tearful pallbearers then carried the casket out before the body was spirited away for a private burial.
Friends and family have paid to the “happy” and “smiley” teen, who was hit by a grey convertible BMW on December 1.
One wrote on Facebook: "A lovely lad and a credit to his parents Gaz n Sarah thinking of u all at this sad time xxx."
Another posted: "Rest in Peace Sammy, will miss seeing you having a kick about such a nice lad."
And a neighbour said: "He was always smiling and was a really happy boy.
"He loved football and I would always see him kicking a ball around or in his football kit ready to go and play.
"I have no idea how this could have happened. It's just so sad that it has happened to such a lovely boy."
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Hattersley FC’s Deputy Chairman Mark Hunt said in an earlier statement: "This is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my role at this club and it is written with a heavy heart.
"Yesterday afternoon one of our under 15's Jets players was involved in a collision on the M67 and has sadly passed away in the early hours.
"The player is Sam Berkley who I have met several times and a nicer lad you could never meet.
"Myself and everyone at the club would like to send our condolences to his family and will be here if needed by anybody. RIP Sam."
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