MORE than £28,000 has been raised for the funerals and to support the families of two pilots who died on the M62. It follows a horror crash on the motorway in the early hours of Thursday morning between Warrington and St Helens. A car was involved in a collision with two lorries on the westbound carriageway between junctions eight for Burtonwood and seven for Rainhill Stoops.
Two men from the car died at the scene, with their next of kin informed. They continue to be supported by specialist officers. The following day, Friday, it was tragically confirmed by Cheshire Police that the two men killed in the crash both worked for Ryanair.
Captain Matt Greenhalgh, aged 28, and senior first officer and Bolton School old boy Jamie Fernandes, aged 24, were travelling to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in a taxi when the collision occurred at 5.31am. As of Friday, the taxi driver remained in hospital, having suffered ‘serious’ injuries.
Tributes were paid to Mr Fernandes by his school, which can be read here. Now, Marple Rugby Club in Stockport has published a tribute to Mr Greenhalgh. A club spokesman said: “All at Marple are saddened to hear of the untimely passing of former player Matt Greenhalgh “Matt played for us as a mini and junior, as part of a successful colts team and as a senior player, often alongside his very proud dad John.
“Despite not playing regularly for a few years, Matt's teammates from his colt days always talked fondly of him, as a player and as a bloke..
