Family pay tribute to tragic Jamie

Jamie Helme-Sagar at his school prom

The family of a teenage boy who died in a freak accident at a BMX track in Heywood have described their son as ‘special.’

Jamie Helme-Sagar, 17, from Dukinfield went cycling at the track in Queens Park Heywood, last Thursday after finishing his exams. He had earlier described the day as ‘the first day of the rest of his life.’

The 17-year-old, who attended Hulme Grammar School had been due to start a computer science and businesses studies degree at Birmingham University in September.

Mum Elaine Sagar, 44, who owns Grafton House Preparatory School in Ashton and a hairdressers, described the Manchester City fan as “special”.

She said: “He was so very polite and gentle.”

Jamie was idolised by his six-year-old brother, Zeb, and respected both his father, Paul, and Elaine’s husband, Chris, as parents.

“He was at a BMX track in Queen’s Park. We do not know quite what he hit, whether he hit a bump or a stone, but he went over his handlebars and he was killed outright,” explained Elaine.

“It was just a freak accident. If he threw himself off his bike 100 times it would not have happened.

“How do you cope? I do not know. I am just taking it day by day. We have got a very strong family and his friends really are young ladies and gentleman, they are fantastic.”

Jamie’s main interest was computing and he was also a member of Tameside Drama Youth Group, working backstage on the technical side.

Elaine added: “Jamie was a Christian and was involved with his church. He liked helping out at the youth group and he used to help at the weekly coffee morning when not at school.

“He was just very polite and gentle, a real gentleman. He wasn’t a normal teenager. He was just very mature and had been since being a small child.”

Family have asked for no mourning clothes for the funeral at Crescent Road Congregational Church, Dukinfield, at 11am on Wednesday, which will be a cheerful celebration of Jamie’s life.

It will be followed by committal at Dukinfield Crematorium and family flowers only are requested, with donations in aid of Tameside Youth Drama Group.

Some will wear Manchester City items and it is also hoped to hand out necklaces with an anti-smoking message, which Jamie wore. A special sky blue wristband has also been made.