Mum of teenager who tragically died in workplace incident pays tribute

The family of a 17-year-old who died following an incident at a business in Bury have paid tribute to a ‘courageous, caring boy’.

Oliver Mawdsley died after being involved in a workplace accident at an industrial estate on Tile Street on Thursday, February 8th. 

A 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and gross negligence manslaughter, while a 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. 

Both have been bailed pending further enquiries.

In a tribute to Oliver, his mum, Samantha, said: “My brown eyed boy Ollie – you were the most courageous, loving, caring boy we have ever met. You are my whole world.

“I just can’t imagine you not walking through the door, giving me the biggest cuddle and sloppiest kiss with your big lips saying ‘love you mama’.

“Going checking on your baby brother who adores you and would non-stop come into your room for you to play Fortnite or wrestle on the floor, with you giving the best cuddles. You were always there for everyone. You were the best little brother to Coby, the best big brother to Hector, and your other siblings.

“You were never shy to show your emotions in public – you were big and strong but so soft with a loving personality. You protected everyone with your big, kind, caring heart, and your beautiful smile that lit up the room and everyone else’s heart too. You were always there for everyone else.”

Oliver was pronounced dead at the scene despite the very best efforts of emergency services.

Continuing her heartfelt tribute, Samantha said: “I will miss every single piece of you. My heart is broken and I wish I could just bring you home with me where you belong. I wish I could hear your singing and giggling away in your room one more time.

“Walking into the wet bathroom and piles of towels you left on the floor, your 5pm phone call ‘just checking in mama to say I’m on my way home, what time do you finish work?’ I just can’t ever accept you’re never coming home. I will give anything to bring you back, anything.

“Papa says he is so proud of you, your track days will never be the same, your 1 million questions about fast cars and the amount of Instagram messages you sent him. He will never get them again and is truly broken.

“Papa will hold all your memories so close to his heart – you were just like him, so care-free, daft, and dangly with your long limbs. We will all make you so, so proud, like you made us. You had so, so much more to give to life and you should never have been taken.

“Your life was just beginning. Me and Papa watched you grow from our beautiful little boy to the most beautiful handsome young man. Your life was only just starting –  you were saving to be able to buy the Crosser you always wanted and your car insurance.

“Your face would light up the world when you spoke about all your hopes and dreams, and you would have achieved them all.”

Samantha added: “I love you so much baby, my Ollie, my world, my brown-eyed boy, you had the most beautiful brown locks of curly hair, but most importantly you had the purest of hearts with the purest intentions. ‘Us against the world’, we would always say, from you being a baby still to this day. 

“Love you always, Mama xxxxx.”

A joint investigation is now underway between Greater Manchester Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to establish the full circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.