Hundreds mourn young crash victim (From The Bolton News)

Hundreds mourn young crash victim

12:12pm Saturday 15th December 2007 in

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HUNDREDS of people gathered to say a final farewell to popular schoolboy Daniel Harrison.

The 17-year-old's life was cut short when the car in which he was a passenger crashed into a tree.

More than 500 family, friends, members of his rugby squad, classmates and teachers gathered in the Reebok Stadium's Platinum Suite yesterday for a humanist service to celebrate his life.

Traditional black mourning clothes were swapped for bright colours and sports shirts reflecting both the teenager's outgoing personality and his love of sport.

No seat was left empty and many stood at the back at for the non-religious service conducted by Carole Truman.

Mourners entered to Daniel's favourite songs, an eclectic mix of indie, pop, R n' B and country western. His coffin was carried by young men clad in sport's T-shirts to the sounds of Bill Joel's Only the Good Die Young. Daniel's devastated his family and closest friends followed.

The Bolton School sixth former, together with classmate Jonathan Sharples, from Wigan, died when the Ford Ka they were travelling in crashed into a tree in Old Kiln Lane, last Wednesday.

An emotional tribute from Daniel's sister, Emma, was read out.

The 15-year-old said: "Dan I will always love you. I don't know what I am going to do without you. The hardest thing is that you have gone forever but that does not mean I am going to stop loving you."

Close friends of Daniel and his family, Graham Cooksey, Mick Waite and Glyn Davies shared their memories of the young man.

They spoke about his love for sport at a young age, his caring nature which was coupled with is determined spirit.

Mr Waite, the family's neighbour, said: "There is so much of his life to celebrate. His beam was infectious and indelible in our memories.

"He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was a fantastic guy."

Ms Truman said: "Among the tributes was one from a friend. It said: Don't cry because it ended, smile because it happened'."

Bolton School musicians played and sang the Oasis hit Little By Little, which was followed by a moment of silence for people to remember Daniel - or Dan, Danny or Bazza, as he was known to those close to him.

Bolton School head of sixth Casper Joseph closed the service by reminding people of Daniel's smile.

He said: "Sometimes I wasn't quite sure what he was smiling for. He was a fine young man, celebrate him."

People stood, sang, cheered, clapped and whistled to Swing Low as Daniel's coffin was carried away.

A private ceremony of committal took place at Overdale, followed by a reception at the Old Links Golf Club in Chorley Old Road.