Colleague was a 'really sound lad' (From Warrington Guardian)

Colleague was a 'really sound lad'

FRIENDS of Gavin McAleer have expressed their disbelief at the tragic nature of his death and paid tribute to the 'likeable lad'.

Vincent Hilditch worked with Gavin last year at The Mortgage Group in Crewe and says he is 'absolutely devastated' at the news.

The 21-year-old Winsford man described Gavin as a 'good mate' and expressed his sympathies to his family.

He said: "It's just so shocking. He was really well known and liked in Winsford and Middlewich and he was just a really sound lad.

"I knew him through work but I used to go drinking with him quite often and he was a really nice guy.

"The last time I saw him was about two months ago in Crewe town centre and we were talking about me going on holiday to America and maybe visiting his sister in New York.

"I'm absolutely devastated. Words can't describe it."

Former Middlewich town councillor Emma Brown, who went to Park Road Primary School with Gavin, has also expressed her sympathy.

She said: "Thursday night's incident was extremely tragic. I'm sure most people who knew Gavin would agree that he was an extremely likable lad with a great sense of humour. I'm shocked that this has happened to someone as undeserving as Gavin."

A spokesman for St Nicholas High School in Northwich, where Gavin was a pupil, said: "We send our sympathies and condolences to the family."