The family of a teenager killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Eccles are appealing for help solving the mystery of his death 10 years on.
Lee Houghton tragically died on Wednesday 17 August 2005 while riding his bike along Liverpool Road in Patricroft.
At around 12.15am the 16-year old was cycling home in the direction of Eccles town centre, near the junction with Green Lane.
Moments later a dark-green coloured Vauxhall Astra drove past.
It’s thought the car may have mounted the kerb and crashed into Lee’s bike, forcing him to tumble into the road.
Lee suffered devastating head injuries, but the driver failed to stop.
The scene of Lee’s death, on Liverpool Road in Patricroft near Green Lane
The teenager, from Salisbury Road, Eccles, was taken to Salford Royal Hospital but tragically passed away less than an hour later.
No-one has ever been arrested.
10 years on from his death, the family contacted SalfordOnline.com to launch a fresh appeal for information.
Lee’s mother Shelly was too upset to talk, so her cousin Jo Pollock spoke on behalf of the family.
“Lee’s mum and all the family are still trying to come to terms with our tragic loss.
“It’s been 10 years since Lee’s young life was taken away from him, since he was left to die alone in the road.
“It’s very difficult to know that there is someone still out there who potentially had a hand in his death but has never come forward.”
Lee, who attended St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles, was a popular teenager and it showed at his funeral, held at St Peter & Paul RC Church in Ellesmere Park, when over 500 people attended.
Jo spoke of the teenager’s love of motorbikes and cycling, of music and spending time with his family.
“He was a big character, he was just a memorable person, and not your average boy.
“He was fun and full of life and energy and very loving.
Lee Houghton at age 13
“I knew he would do well in life. He stood out from the crowd, and he always had something to say.
“Family was very important to Lee, especially his mum and sister Nicole and brother Kade.
“He was almost like a son to me too.
“As a family Lee’s death has left us all still devastated.
“It’s very difficult to have a close family member taken away in such a tragic circumstances and yet we have no answers and no one has been brought to justice.”
Liverpool Road near the scene of the accident with Cosmo Bingo on the left and Christ Church Patricroft on the right
Delving through hours of CCTV footage around the time of the suspected hit-and-run in Eccles the police caught the car on camera, but were never able to get a full registration plate.
The family believe the driver of the Vauxhall Astra may still hold the key to Lee’s death.
Just hours after the suspected hit and run Inspector Andrew Hudson from the Area 4 policing unit set up a roadblock on Liverpool Road, stopping and questioning drivers.
He said back in 2005: “We had several traffic officers and a team from the Tactical Aid Unit on duty.
“We need to try to establish the whereabouts of the dark coloured Astra and would urge anyone with information to come forward. It could be that someone saw the Astra shortly after the incident.
“Perhaps someone has since noticed a friend, family member or neighbour with damage to his or her Astra.
“Maybe they have noticed someone acting slightly differently, possibly pre-occupied. If so we need to hear from you.”
The junction of Liverpool Road and Green Lane in Patricroft, heading towards Eccles
Today Greater Manchester Police say the case is still open, and they will take any information, no matter how small, in confidence.
Jo said: “That night, two young girls saw it happen from a short distance away and my heart goes out to them.
“Lee was still briefly alive at the scene but the impact on his body was devastating.
“It seems crazy that with all the CCTV in the area, the main motorway links close to Patricroft and the old Green Lane Police Station nearby, no-one could trace the driver or the vehicle or get the full registration plate.”
A further tragedy is that Lee’s life was just beginning, says Jo.
“We’d talked about his future and a short time before his death Lee starting working for one of his family doing groundwork.
“I promised to support him in his chosen career and agreed that I’d buy him a van and get him through driving lessons, and he was excited about what was to come.”
One of Lee’s major role models was Jo’s father Bill Pollock, a respected businessman who grew up in Salford.
“My dad was a very big influence on Lee. He was also a big character and wanted the best for Lee and kept him grounded, moulding him into the person he became.
“Lee was lucky, he had lots of loving family members who adored him
“It’s still difficult for all of us to talk about Lee not being here today but we just want closure as a family.
“Someone out there must know something. A conversation that stuck in your mind, or seeing the car after the accident – it’s a big thing to hide.
“What carries on our pain is knowing there’s someone out there who knows what happened, and we would urge them to come forward.”
Anyone who has any information, no matter how small, is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
