Family’s double heartache

GRIEF beyond belief: Sami Achour

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A HEARTBROKEN Diggle family is coming to terms with two tragic deaths in the space of two weeks.

Teenager Sami Achour was killed when the car he was in was involved in the three-car collision in Greenfield Road on Sunday.

The 17 year old’s death came as the family mourned he sudden death of his uncle, Steve McNamara (55), who suffered a heart attack earlier in the month.

Fiona McNamara of Spurn Road, Diggle, and her eldest son Jamie (19) and parents Tom and Nadine McNamara, now face the harrowing experience of two funerals, one for her son, one for her brother.

Sami, an IT student in the first weeks of a new course at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton, was a former Saddleworth School pupil. He was in the back seat of a VW Polo that crashed into a ditch after the collision with an Audi A3 and a camper van on the road that runs out from Greenfield towards Holmfirth. Sami was wearing his seatbelt and a police investigation continues.

A 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has since been released on bail.

The death of businessman Steve McNamara sent shockwaves through the local golf community. The owner of Fireside Corner in Rochdale Road, Royton had been a popular member at Werneth Golf Club for 32 years and served as greens chairman. He was found dead on September 11 from an acute heart failure.

His brother Tony, Sami’s uncle, said the whole family has been devastated by the double tragedy.

“We have been dealing with the loss of Steve and had been strong together. Now we have to be even stronger to deal with the loss of Sami.

“Everyone who knew Steve would know he had a love for life and an infectious laugh. He crammed an awful lot of living into his 55 years.

“But Sami had his whole life ahead of him. He was enjoying the next stage of his education and was due to have a third driving lesson on Thursday.”

• Saddleworth Rangers rugby club has sent its condolences to former player Marlon Miller, who was also involved in Sunday’s crash. Marlon is recovering from his injuries.