The club have paid a heartbreaking tribute
Ethan McLeod
A striker at non-league Macclesfield FC has been killed in a motorway horror car crash following their game last night (December 16), the club has confirmed.
Ethan McLeod, 21, was travelling back from the Cheshire club’s game away at Bedford Town when the white Mercedes he was driving hit a barrier on the M1 near Milton Keynes.
Emergency services raced to the scene on the northbound carriageway around 10:40pm. However, despite the best efforts of members of the public and police officers, former Wolves academy star Mr McLeod was pronounced dead at the scene.
The club has now paid a moving tribute to him. In a statement, they said: “Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him.
“But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be – both on and off the pitch.
“Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces – even on the darkest of days. News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our entire Club and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now.
McLeod scoring his first goal for Macclesfield in September(Image: Phil Jones/sportseyephoto.com)
“The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan’s passing will undeniably never heal – but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future.
“Ethan will live in our hearts and minds forevermore and no matter what the future holds, his unique smile that mesmerised us all will never be forgotten.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ethan’s family and friends at this deeply traumatic time, together with an assurance that we will provide as much support as we can to those who need it. May you rest in peace Ethan – you will forever be a Silkman.”
The motorway was shut for several hours following the tragedy. In a statement, Northamptonshire Police said: “Witnesses are being sought after a driver sadly died following a single-vehicle collision on the northbound carriageway of the M1, near junction 15.
“At about 10.40pm on Tuesday, December 16, the driver of a white Mercedes car for unknown reason was in collision with the nearside metal barrier.
“Despite the efforts of members of the public and officers from Northamptonshire Police, the driver – a man in his 20s from the West Midlands – was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would like to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam footage that captured any part of the collision.”
Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 25000734866.
