A FOOTBALL fan “made the worst decision of his life” before fatally ploughing his car into a pub and becoming engulfed in flames, his family said.
Will Place, 23, was out celebrating England’s dramatic win against Slovakia on Sunday when he smashed his Dacia Sandero into the White Lion, in Heywood, Manchester.
The recent sports journalist graduate failed to stop for cops during the early hours of Monday morning while making his way home.
Around 3am, officers decided to purse Will for a short while before bringing the chase to an end.
Moments later, the young lad’s car was in the side of the establishment on fire and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Will’s mum Beverley Place, a councillor in Heywood and a former mayor of Rochdale, has since paid tribute to her “special” boy who had an “infectious smile”.
She said: “He was passionate about football and in the early hours of Monday morning, after celebrating the England team’s win, Will acted completely out of character and made the worst decision of his life and tragically paid the ultimate price.
“We are all left utterly bereft and heartbroken. We are grateful for the outpouring of grief, love and support we have received from his innumerable friends.”
His heartbroken girlfriend Megan Wild said she is “left empty” without him.
She added: “I feel like someone has taken my heart out of my body.
“We have spent every day together for nearly eight years and now there’s nothing.”
Life-long pal Max McLean added: “Will had the most amazing smile and laugh that would light up any room.
“There’s not one negative thing I could say about the guy nor could anyone else.
“His friends, family and anyone who ever come in contact with Will, will always remember him as the amazing man he had become.”
Greater Manchester Police has since referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “Following a referral from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) we have started an independent investigation into the circumstances of a fatal collision on York Street in Heywood.
“We were notified by the force that a car had collided into the White Lion pub at 3.15am this morning after reportedly failing to stop for police officers minutes before the incident.
“Sadly, the male driver of the vehicle died at the scene.
“We sent investigators to the scene, as well as to the police post-incident procedures, to begin gathering evidence.
“An independent investigation was declared shortly before 5am. Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic incident.
“Our investigation is in its very early stages.”
Shocking pictures from the scene showed a burnt out car – with the make and model no longer identifiable.
The pub also suffered damage in upsetting images which show the extent of the fire.
Fire crews erected a tent outside the pub and forensic teams were combing the area.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said at the time: “Shortly after 3.15am this morning (Monday, 1 July), four fire engines from Rochdale, Heywood and Bury fire stations attended a building fire on York Street, Heywood.
“Crews arrived quickly and used four hose reel jets and four breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.
“Road closures are in place and firefighters remain in attendance at this time.”
Anyone with any information, CCTV, or dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting log number 299 of July 1, 2024.
