Sam Haycock funeral: Bikers lead ‘final ride’ as family and friends bid final farewell

Sam Haycock, aged 16, lost his life on Friday, May 28 after getting into difficulty in the reservoir at Ulley Country Park.

A huge search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies was mounted after frantic friends raised the alarm to report him missing.

The youngster, who attended Oakwood High School in Rotherham, had just finished Year 11 and Headteacher Chris Eccles said friends with him at the time had made ‘gallant efforts’ to save him but ‘were unable to prevent him from drowning’.

Today, well wishers and mourners came to celebrate Sam’s life by wearing blue and letting off blue flares as he made his way to his final resting place.

The Star photographer Chris Etchells was there to capture the moments.