Vigil held and tributes paid as teen pair lose fight for life

A tribute at the tree where Vaughn Hirst fell and suffered injuries that would lead to his death.

Harrison ‘Harry’ James Perry, 18, lost his battle for life on Saturday after a car crash in Greetland.

Vaughn Hirst, 16, tragically passed away after falling 15ft from a tree while climbing down Bank Edge, Illingworth. He was in a coma for a week before he died last Saturday.

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Vaughn Hirst, who died from injuries he sustained when he fell from a tree.

A grieving community held a vigil for a Halifax teenager who died from injuries suffered when he fell from a tree.

Former Trinity Academy Halifax pupil Vaughn Hirst, who had just turned 16, was in a coma for a week before he died on Saturday.

He fell 15ft on to his head from a tree at a steep drop on Bank Edge in Illingworth and suffered two bleeds to the brain, a brain blood clot and fractured skull.

Mother Janine Bould said: “He was just being himself, just being a teenager and then the branch snapped.”

Flowers at the scene of fatal accident, Saddleworth Road, Greetland

Following the tragedy, mourners gathered for a vigil at Ovenden Rugby League Club on Cousin Lane.

Balloons were released and candles were lit at the foot of the tree at Bank Edge where Vaughn fell.

Annie Morris, whose son Kieron, 15, was best friends with Vaughn, said: “The vigil went really well, it was very emotional.

“A lot of people turned out, family, friends, people from the area, there was around 35 or 34.”

Tributes to Vaughn have flooded in on social media.

And his family have started a petition to have a wall or fence built at the top of Bank Edge to prevent children and young people from climbing down.

It has been signed by more than 500 people.

Stuart Smith, Calderdale Council’s director of Children and Young People’s Services, said: “The death of any child is tragic. Our thoughts are with the family and we offer our sincere condolences.

“The death of all children is taken very seriously and must be reviewed by a Child Death Overview Panel on behalf of the local Safeguarding Children Board.

“The Child Death Overview Panels are groups of professionals from a range of organisations who meet several times a year to sensitively review child deaths in their area to learn how to prevent future deaths.

“The panels report the lessons learned to the local Safeguarding Children Board.

“The board makes sure any recommendations made by the panel are sent to those who will need to act on them.”

Visit www.change.org/p/us-put-high-walls-or-fences-on-bank-edge to sign the petition.

Meanwhile, a sea of floral tributes has been left at the scene of a tragic crash which left a teenager dead.

The smash happened at around 10pm last Thursday, when a black Renault Clio, travelling towards West Vale, hit a wall on Saddleworth Road, close to the junction of Ellistones Lane.

The driver of the Cleo, 18-year-old Harrison ‘Harry’ James Perry, from Stainland, was treated by paramedics and taken to Leeds General Infirmary. He died on Saturday morning.　

Two male passengers aged 20 and 17 received slight injuries.　

Since Harrison’s death, family, friends and well-wishers have left hundreds of floral tributes at the scene in memory of the much-loved teenager.

Messages have also been left on the Courier’s Facebook page.

Sally Richmond wrote: “Tragic, thoughts go out to all concerned.”

Bev Rattray added: “So sad. God bless Harry RIP. My thoughts are with all the family at this tragic and very sad time. What a lovely lad you’re going to be missed by many.”

And Cheryl Guillot wrote: “God bless beautiful Harry. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.”

Sergeant Carl Quinn of the Major Collision Enquiry Team said; “Whilst late in the evening, Saddleworth Road is one that is generally busy.

“I am certain there will have been people around who may have seen the vehicle prior to the incident, or who may have witnessed the collision itself.

“I would ask that they come forward with any information.

“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of what took place.”　

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact MCET via 101, quoting 13160423282.　

l A 20-year-old and 17-year-old were arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on police bail.

An inquest was expected to open before the end of the week.