Head pays tribute to car crash victim Sam Gattens

Jun 18 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

THE headteacher of road tragedy teenager Sam Gattens has paid tribute to a “cheeky lad we will never forget”.

The 17-year-old’s life was cut short when the car he was driving overturned and hit a tree on the B6341 near Lion Bridge, just outside Alnwick, Northumberland, in the early hours of Sunday.

The popular former Duchess’s High School student and golf prodigy had only passed his driving test six days earlier.

Sam, from Highfield Park, Alnwick, was in his Vauxhall Corsa with three friends, who all escaped serious injury.

Maurice Hall, headteacher at Duchess’s High School, in Alnwick, spoke on behalf of 1,130 students and staff in describing the devastation felt at Sam’s death.

“The tragic loss of Sam to the community has rocked everyone,” he said.

“To lose a young person like this in such circumstances generates a tide of emotion that is difficult to manage and generate anything positive from.

“Sam was part of our school for three years and had many friends who grew up with him. Alnwick’s community is a very tight-knit one and he leaves a huge footprint behind of memories and achievements.

“He was an extremely popular young man who was liked by staff and students. He regularly had a cheeky smile on his face and was always positive about life.”