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Our Daniel was always smiling: Tragedy stuns teenager's family
STUNNED family and friends are mourning a popular teenager who died in a road accident.
Daniel Walton, 17, of Church Walk, Northowram, worked at the family catering equipment distribution business of Waltons at the Euro Trading Estate, Bradford.
He was making deliveries and driving a Nissan Vanette along the A59 from Gisburn to Clitheroe on Friday when it was in collision with a Land Rover Discovery pulling a VW Beetle. He died at the scene. Two men from Barnoldswick in the Land Rover were slightly injured.
Daniel's parents, Alex and Kim, were alerted after someone called the company from the accident scene and immediately set off for Lancashire.
"It is such a shock," said Mrs Walton, 43.
"He had always wanted to work with his dad and was being trained to work every aspect of the business.
"Daniel was always smiling and he was a stay-at-home boy when not doing his outdoor stuff."
Mr Walton, 42, joint managing director of the company, said he had lost his best friend. "We did everything together."
Daniel's sister, Natalie, 19, also works at the family business and is shattered at the loss of her brother.
Daniel had saved his wages to buy a Land Rover which he used for off-roading.
He also enjoyed speedway, hiking and skiing. He was a Bradford City fan and used to play football for Shelf Juniors and helped coach the Northowram Ladies' Football team.
He attended Lightcliffe Prep School and Hipperholme Grammar School.
Daniel passed his driving test six weeks ago but first learned to drive on company premises as a 12-year-old. "His driving instructor said he had the best ability of any learner driver he had known," said Mrs Walton.
"He was a very good driver and was not interested in fast cars."
Friends have been rallying around the family.
"Daniel was a popular boy and we have a lot of friends which we need. All we are doing is crying," said Mrs Walton.
A post-mortem examination will be held and an inquest opened and adjourned this week.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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