Promising 16-year-old football player dies after canal crash
By Matias Grez, CNN
(CNN) — A promising youth team player for English soccer team Grimsby Town has died at the age of 16 after the car he was traveling in crashed into a canal, with the club describing his death as a “heartbreaking loss.”
“Cameron Walsh was an integral part of the GTFC academy,” the club said in a statement on its website.
“His passion for the game, coupled with his undeniable talent, made him a much-loved figure among teammates, coaches, and the entire Grimsby Town family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through the pain and grief that comes with such a tragedy.”
Lincolnshire Police told CNN they do not release the names of those involved in fatal collisions, but local and national media named the pair as Cameron and the 16-year-old’s father, Dave Walsh.
Amateur football club Cleethorpes Town, where Cameron and Dave both played, paid tribute to the father and son.
Cleethorpes described Dave, a former player and junior manager, as a “wonderful person” that had “many, many happy times” managing his son’s team.
In 2017, Cameron was Cleethorpes Town’s mascot in the FA Vase final against South Shields at Wembley Stadium, with the club saying he will be “forever a huge part of our history.”
The police said in a statement that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Saturday after the car they were in left the road and became submerged in water at Tetney Lock in Lincolnshire, east England.
“We are now appealing for anyone who may have information to come forward,” a police statement said.
“At this stage it is not believed there were any other vehicles involved but we are keeping an open mind as the investigation progresses.”
Local ambulance and fire and rescue crews also attended the scene, the police said.
Grimsby Town, which plays in English football’s fourth tier, said it will pay tribute to Cameron and his father at the club’s next home match on Saturday, January 13.
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