Oliver Mawdsley: 'beautiful' teen, 17, dies in 'workplace accident' as family pay tribute

A teenager who died in a 'workplace accident' was a "beautiful, handsome young man” with a "caring heart", his mum said today.

Oliver Mawdsley, 17 - who died at a business premises in Bury, Greater Manchester on Thursday (8 February) - had a "beautiful smile that lit up the room", mum Samantha said.

In a statement, heartbroken Samantha added: "I just can’t imagine you not walking through the door, giving me the biggest cuddle and sloppiest kiss with your big lips saying ‘love you mama’."

Police were called to a business premises in Bury following concerns for welfare shortly after 10am on Thursday.

Oliver was pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of emergency services, including fire crews and medics. Two men, aged 41 and 36, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter connection with his death.

The 41-year-old was also held for driving offences, police said.

In an emotion statement released by police, Samantha said she would miss “every single piece” of her son.

She said: "My brown-eyed boy Ollie - you were the most courageous, loving, caring boy we have ever met. You are my whole world.

“You were always there for everyone. You were the best little brother to Coby, the best big brother to Hector, and your other siblings.

“You were never shy to show your emotions in public – you were big and strong but so soft with a loving personality.

“You protected everyone with your big, kind, caring heart, and your beautiful smile that lit up the room and everyone else’s heart too.

"You were always there for everyone else. I will miss every single piece of you. My heart is broken and I wish I could just bring you home with me where you belong.”

Samantha added that Oliver’s dad was “so proud” of him and recalled times when her loving son had checked on her while returning from work.

She went on: “I wish I could hear your singing and giggling away in your room one more time.

"Walking into the wet bathroom and piles of towels you left on the floor, your 5pm phone call 'just checking in mama to say I’m on my way home, what time do you finish work?'

“I just can’t ever accept you’re never coming home. I will give anything to bring you back, anything.

“Papa says he is so proud of you, your track days will never be the same, your million questions about fast cars and the amount of Instagram messages you sent him.

“He will never get them again and is truly broken.

"Papa will hold all your memories so close to his heart - you were just like him, so care-free, daft, and dangly with your long limbs.

“We will all make you so, so proud, like you made us. You had so, so much more to give to life and you should never have been taken.

She also described how Oliver had been saving up to pay for car insurance and how his face would “light up” when he spoke of his "hopes and dreams".

She added: “Your life was just beginning. Me and Papa watched you grow from our beautiful little boy to the most beautiful, handsome young man.

“Your life was only just starting - you were saving to be able to buy the Crosser you always wanted and your car insurance.

“Your face would light up the world when you spoke about all your hopes and dreams, and you would have achieved them all.”

“I love you so much baby, my Ollie, my world, my brown-eyed boy, you had the most beautiful brown locks of curly hair, but most importantly you had the purest of hearts with the purest intentions."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said it was conducting a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive into Oliver's death.