Appeal following fatal road traffic collision in Heywood

Davids mother Julie Birch

The mother of David Taylor, who was killed in a road traffic collision in Heywood on Monday 26 June 2006, has appealed to the people of Heywood to come forward with any information they have which could help catch his killers.

Julie Birch said: "Two weeks ago, we were at Carlisle Cathedral collecting the Graduation Certificate my son David had worked so hard for. David couldn't be there because on the 26th June he was killed on his way home whilst pushing his friend out of the path of a speeding car driven by a callous individual who didn't even have the decency to stop to see if he could help.

"This is the first time I have spoken openly about our loss, perhaps because I cannot find words to describe the feeling of emptiness and sorrow in my life without him. Dave was a wonderful son and there isn't a day goes by that I don't long for him, wish I could talk to him, look at his pictures and cry myself to sleep.

"We are told there were people in that car from Heywood and I could be walking past my son's killers in the street - imagine how that feels. Don't look away and think "not my problem". Look at your own child, sister or brother and ask yourself how you might feel if you lost them and then double or treble it.

"I hope the people of Heywood remember Dave; he was that shy lad you knew at school. He was the one that all his family called little Dave, the mate you had a laugh with or even the noisy blonde lad in the pub.

"My family - David's family - have been in Heywood for generations and we can't believe that there are people in the town who know who was driving the car that night but haven't come forward. The driver is too much of a coward to own up but I appeal to the others in the car or anyone who can link someone to that car to talk to the police.

"If those in that car are your friends or family and you are protecting them, then make them do the right thing. Whatever happens you will have them back, we will never have Dave."

Just before 2.15am on Monday 26 June 2006, David James Taylor (born 28/05/82) of Bury Old Road, Heywood was crossing the road with a friend when he was in collision with a car, believed to be a silver Mercedes A Class. He had pushed his friend out of the way of the car just before it collided with him.

David suffered serious injuries to his head and upper body and was taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment. He died in hospital on Tuesday 27 June 2006.

The silver Mercedes A Class failed to stop at the scene and drove away in the direction of Wood Street. A car of a similar description was later found abandoned and burnt out by police nearby.

Officers are keen to speak to the occupants of a small red car, possibly a Corsa, with distinctive Lexus lights at the back, which was seen close to where the collision happened as they have vital information which may help the police investigation.

Anyone with any information about this car, or the incident in general, is asked to contact the road policing unit at Mottram on 0161 856 8809 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.