Candles for Chloe - Rochdale remembers teenage crash victim

Rochdale residents gather in memory of Chloe Cockton

Published 1st Aug 2016

Hundreds of people came together in Rochdale on Sunday evening (31st July) for a vigil in memory of a teenager who died in a tragic car crash.

Local redidents and friends organised the gathering on the Kirkholt estate for 16-year-old Chloe Cockton.

Candles were also lit for a 1-year-old local baby called Ava Rose Sharples who died in unrelated circumstances on the same day as Chloe.

Balloons and lanterns were released at the roundabout where a Renault Clio crashed into a barrier.

Helen Arnold, headteacher at Holy Family Primary School in the town said: "I think this has made people realise how precious and fragile life is.

"There's been a great coming together and it is testament to the community I work within and it is a privilege to be part of it."

Shauna Taylor, who was in the same vehicle with Chloe and survived along with two others, said: "The fact that everyone's come together is amazing."

Speaking of the turn out from locals on the estate she added: "You get bad press but the good outweighs the bad."

PL