Youth, 17, who died after bike crash had beaten leukaemia as a toddler
by MIRIAM KUEPPER · Mail OnlineA teenager who died after an e-bike and scrambler bike crash had beaten leukaemia as a toddler.
Spencer Crofts, 17, was riding a scrambler bike when it was involved in a crash with an electric bike at around 6.25pm on November 30 in Woodchurch, on the Wirral peninsula. Merseyside Police later confirmed Spencer died at the scene.
The 18-year-old e-bike rider was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Spencer's family have now opened up about how his sudden death has 'destroyed' them.
His aunt Chayne Crofts told the Liverpool Echo that Spencer had overcome a serious illness as a younger child.
She said: 'Spencer was one of the most loving, emotional kids you'll ever meet. He loved his family.
'He never wanted anyone to be sad. He'd go out of his way to help people. When he was three he had leukaemia. He's always been everyone's favourite since then.'
On how Spencer's death has affected them, including his other aunt Melissa Crofts, she added: 'It's destroyed the whole family. We're a very close family.
'I'm still in shock. None of us are well. We can't eat or sleep. We're heartbroken, it's so sudden. He was just a baby, he didn't deserve that.'
A series of floral tributes have been left at the scene of the accident paying tribute to Spencer, who has been described as loyal and genuine, 'with the biggest heart'.
Chayne has said she and other family members have been visiting the floral tributes every day since his death.
She said: 'It's the only comfort we've got - to see how many people loved him. It means everything to us. The family have left stuff there ourselves. I've left letters to him because we couldn't say goodbye.
'I go to those flowers every morning and speak to Spencer when I'm at my lowest point. The whole family visits the flowers daily. There's still flowers being laid. Someone left a Christmas tree there yesterday. Everyone is still grieving.'
Chayne claimed she had been told the floral tributes would be taken down on Thursday by Wirral Council but the local authority has said this is not the case.
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said on Wednesday: 'There are absolutely no plans to remove the floral tributes to Spencer tomorrow, nor at any time before the funeral unless that is in line with the wishes of his family.
'We will continue to try to reflect the feelings and wishes of Spencer's family as much as possible in regard to the floral tributes.'
Read More
Pictured: Youth, 17, who died in an e-bike and scrambler bike crash - as teen fights for his life
Chief Inspector Charlotte Irlam said on December 1: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Spencer Crofts, who died following the collision last night and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public who have any information, which could assist our inquiries to establish how this young man lost his life, to come forward.
'An 18-year-old man has also sustained serious multiple injuries and he is still in a critical condition in hospital.'
She added: 'We know there were a number of young people in the area at the time of the incident, and some of those removed the scrambler bike, which is described as red and black, and a Suron electric bike.
'A search of the area has been carried out and a scrambler bike has been found, examinations are being carried out to establish if it was one of the bikes involved in the collision.'
She urged the youths who were present at the incident to 'search their conscience' and get in touch with police.
'Spencer, and the other young man, involved in this collision may well have been your friends and surely you would want us to be able to tell the families why and how this happened. They will need answers going forward and you may well be able to help us to do that', Ms Irlam said.
'If you saw what happened, or have any information at all that could assist our inquiries, please get in touch.
'If you live in the area or were driving past at the time, please review your CCTV/dashcam footage to see if you captured anything, even if it appears small or insignificant, as it could be vital to our investigation.'
Witnesses should call 101 or DM @MerPolCC on social media, quoting log number 751 of 30th November or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.