Tributes have been paid to a promising young footballer whose life was cut short following a fatal car smash.
Tragic Ethan Hedley, 19, was described as “going onto big things” by Buxton FC coaches after learning of the teenager’s death.
The box-to-box midfielder died while travelling as a passenger in a black Vaunxhall Corsa which collided with a blue Ford Mondeo at 9am in Doncaster, South Yorks., on Friday (April 15).
A floral tribute at the scene included a moving message from the victim’s mother read: “My world has fallen apart. You were my friend and my son. My heart’s in bits.
“Need you home but that’s not going to happen. Love you so much you’re always in my heart. Love you son, Mar xx. (sic.)”
Speaking about Ethan’s talents on the pitch, Tony Tomlinson, Buxton club secretary, said: “Ethan certainly had something about him.
“He was a box-to-box midfielder and Tim Ryan (the club’s assistant manager) was hopeful that with a full pre-season behind him he would go on to big things.”
A man, aged 18, was also seriously injuried following the crash and a man, aged 19, suffered minor injuries.
The drivers of both cars were uninjured but two other passengers in the Corsa were injured.
On social media, friend David Gravel said: “RIP Ethan Hedley, genuinely one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and had the pleasure of growing up with him.
“Thoughts go out to his family and everyone else involved.”
South Yorkshire Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 1122 of April 15, 2016.
