Teenage boy who died on M6 named locally

The teenager – who is believed to have been a student at Birchwood High School – has not yet been officially identified by Cheshire Police.

Police officers were called to the scene on August 17, with the police called following reports of concern for the safety of the teenager.

Floral tributes have been fixed to the railings on Birchwood Way (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson at the time said: “Officers were called at 9.40pm on Thursday (August 17) to the M6 at J21 following reports of a concern for the safety of a teenage boy.

“Sadly, despite best efforts, the teenager passed away at the scene.

“A full road closure was put in place while emergency services were in attendance.”

Tributes have now been left at the site, with flowers, cards, and photographs adorning the pedestrian railing on Birchwood Way, near the M6.

Cards and messages left in Birchwood name the teenage boy as Daniel.

One message reads: “Daniel, you were an amazing, talented and inspirational person, and you will be missed.”

A card pinned to the railings reads: “Daniel, I have so much to say – I’m heartbroken.

“You seemed to always know what was wrong, and you always knew how to help; I knew I could go to you about anything.”

“You knew how to light up a room, always.

“I know that you were just one of the best people to be around.”

The card ends: “Life is never going to be the same without you; you made everything better, I wish I could go back and change things.”

Following the incident, traffic was stopped on the M6 northbound for several hours, with the southbound carriageway blocked.

Sergeant Russell Sime, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was an incredibly tragic incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the boy who sadly died at the scene.

“As part of our enquiries we are looking for witnesses or those with dashcam footage to contact us.

“We believe the boy may have been struck on the carriageway after falling from the bridge. It would have been dark at this time of night, and it is possible that drivers on the motorway could have been unaware.

“If you have any information or footage which could aid our enquiries, please contact us via cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or call 101, quoting IML-1623405.”