Tributes paid to 16-year-old rugby player who died after crash in West Yorkshire

Mathew Patterson was struck by a car on Standbridge Lane at Sandal on December 12 at around 5.50pm. After being taken to hospital, he sadly died from his injuries hours later.

Bouquets of flowers have been left on railings at the side of the road close to The Star pub.

Mathew was a keen rugby player and played for Sandal Rugby Union Football Club as well as studying at New College in Pontefract.

"He joined New College Pontefract in September 2020 and was from the start a popular student, and a well-liked and respected peer. Mathew threw himself into his studies, but also found the time to involve himself in World Challenge and would have been joining his friends on a trip to Borneo and Malaysia next summer.

“Some students have already begun to express their thoughts and have shared some lovely words, conveying what a loving and caring person he was; how anyone could see that he wanted to help people and make them smile; and how he was the nicest and most genuine person they had met at college.

“This was a young man with a huge amount of potential who made an incredible impact during the relatively short time he spent with us.”

Mathew’s teachers described him as “polite and respectful”, who enjoyed his lessons and despite only starting his A-level studies in September, had become a ‘model student’. He had recently achieved a top grade in his further maths test.

A statement posted by Sandal RUFC said: “We are devastated to share the news that Mathew Patterson passed away on Sunday as a result of injuries he sustained in an accident the previous evening.

“Mathew has played for the club since micros and was enjoying his penultimate season of Junior rugby. I speak for everyone who was lucky enough to know Matty when I say he was a talented young player who worked tirelessly for his team every time he took to the field.

“He was humble, coachable and loved his rugby. Mathew was truly a lovely young man who made many friends across the club, he will be sorely missed but remembered fondly by us all. Rest in peace Mathew.”

Police are seeking witnesses to the collision which happened at around 5.50pm on Saturday and involved a silver Chevrolet Matiz.

The Major Collision Enquiry Team are investigating the collision and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed it, or who may have footage which could assist their investigation.

They can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or via the West Yorkshire Police website. The incident reference number is 13200621557.