Man killed in car crash before realising golfing dream

Christopher John Barrett

Christopher John Barrett worked as an assistant at Bowlee Driving Range in Middleton and had recently been accepted to become a golf pro by the Professional Golf Association before his life was cut short in a tragic car crash. The 20-year-old died after the car he was driving was in collision with a lamppost in Blackley on Monday 16 July.

The 20-year-old man who died after the car he was driving was in collision with a lamppost in Blackley on Monday 16 July has been named as Christopher John Barrett (born 17/9/86) of Haigh Lane in Chadderton.

Mr Barrett, from Chadderton, was a promising golfer and a member of North Manchester Golf Club. He had played since the age of eleven. He went to North Chadderton School before going on to Myerscough College in Preston where he played in the Prospects Golf Tour.

For the last three years, Christopher worked as an assistant at Bowlee Driving Range in Middleton and during that time played in the Tamsil Tour professional events.

Christopher's family described him as a "lovely lad who will be sadly missed by all."

At about 8.10pm on Monday 16 July Mr Barrett was driving a silver Volvo along Victoria Avenue in Blackley when it was in collision with a lamppost close to the junction with Munn Road.

Police, ambulance and fire crews went to the scene where he, and another 20-year-old man who was a passenger in the Volvo, had to be cut free from the car.

Both men were taken to North Manchester General Hospital and Mr Barrett was transferred to Hope Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 17 July.

The passenger was treated for minor injuries and has since been discharged.