Grieving friends and relatives face New Year without young man killed in Sheffield crash

Jake Birkinshaw, aged 19, died when the car he was a passenger in ran out of control on a bend on Hathersage Road, Dore, at 10.15pm on Saturday, December 19.

The silver Ford Fiesta was being driven by a 17-year-old at the time.

South Yorkshire Police said the car flipped in the smash and Jake was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tributes have been paid to Jake in social media posts from friends and relatives.

His cousin Rachel Smith said: “Life will never be the same without you Jake.

“The most caring cousin who was always there whenever anybody needed you.

“Our whole family is heartbroken, but we know you will be watching over us forever.”

His cousin Nicola Bagshaw added: “We are all absolutely heartbroken to lose such an amazing and important part of our family...we miss you so much, you will always be loved and never forgotten.”

In a Facebook post, Quarry Simulated Game & Sporting Clays, also paid tribute to Jake.

The tribute reads: “Jake Birkinshaw was a pleasure to be with, and always had a smile on his face. He was a brilliant clay shooter winning most of the trophies at The Quarry.

“God bless you Jake...you will be sadly missed.”

Margaret Critchlow described Jake’s death as ‘heartbreaking news for the whole of the Hope Valley’.

And Lynn Carnall, whose son attended King Edward VII Sixth Form at the same time as Jake, posted: “Utterly heartbreaking, taken far too young. Condolences to the family.”

Former teacher Trevor Townsend described Jake as ‘a fantastic student who will be sadly missed’ and

Wendy Walker added: “I remember Jake when he was at school. Such a lovely lad.”

Jake's funeral service is to take place at Hathersage Methodist Church at 1.15pm on Wednesday, January 13 and will be followed by private cremation.

Witnesses to the collision or anyone with dashcam footage which may assist police enquiries should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 1,120 of December 19.