LFC protege ‘critical’ in horror crash that killed two others

Apr 8 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A TEENAGE football star left critically injured in a car crash that killed two 17-year-olds was recovering in hospital last night.

Liverpool FC’s Youth Academy protege Sean Highdale, 17, sustained serious injuries during the two-car accident on Speke Boulevard which killed fellow passengers Thomas Benn and Kalam Wooding, all from the Halewood area.

The youngster has been training at the Academy for over eight years, and played for England’s under-16 team.

He is a member of Liverpool FC’s under-18 team.

Another 17-year-old boy, who has not yet been named, is also critically ill in hospital, and a fifth escaped with minor injuries.

Academy manager John Owens said last night: “I saw Sean this morning and the good news is that he was responding on a small basis and able to say hello. It was a horrific crash, but his injuries are not life- threatening. We are hopeful he will make a full recovery.

“Obviously, our thoughts at this time are with Sean’s family and friends because he is a very popular lad at the Academy.

“We would also like to extend our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the crash.”

Messages have also been posted on Liverpool FC forums. One well-wisher said: “Been watching him for the U18s this season on LFCTV and appears to be a cracking player.

“Hope the lad pulls through, thoughts are with him and his family and also with the families of the boys who died.”

Yesterday, crash victim Thomas’s Myspace profile was flooded with messages from shocked and upset friends.

They paid tribute to the keen boxer, who listed Steven Gerrard and Floyd Mayweather as his heroes.

One read: “I'm going to miss you, buddy . . . can’t believe what's happened. I'll see ya soon mate.”

Another friend wrote: “RIP Thomas babe, you will be well and truly missed . . . can’t believe your gone.”

The group of friends was driving towards Liverpool when their Vauxhall Astra collided with a black Volkswagen Beetle at 10.40pm on Sunday, near the Jaguar plant.

The Astra spun off the carriageway, leaving the road, and was catapulted through trees before landing on its roof in a wooded embankment.

The force of the impact threw Kalam and Thomas from the car.

Kalam died after arriving at Whiston hospital, while Thomas was pronounced dead at the crash scene.

The Beetle smashed into a fence and lamp-post but the 22-year-old male driver, from Manchester, who was on his way to the airport to meet a relative getting off a flight, was unhurt.

Firefighters spent two hours at the scene ensuring both the cars and the carriageway were safe.

Police closed off a long stretch of the road on Sunday night to gather evidence from the crash scene and allow repair work to take place.

The closures led to queuing traffic in the morning rush hour.

Merseyside police want to speak to anyone who witnessed the accident or saw the cars involved before the crash.

Anyone with information should call 0151 777 5730.

lizawilliams