A grieving sister has paid tribute to Israel Iyabor, the 15-year-old footballer who tragically died on the M60 motorway last Sunday.
Emergency services were called near junction 20 at Blackley, but sadly Israel was pronounced dead at the scene by responders.
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His family say the teen was “protective, jokey, and light-hearted” and never failed to bring smiles to those around him.
Israel’s 17-year-old sister described him as the “class clown” at school and someone who never took life too seriously.
“He was always making jokes but was also very protective of his loved ones,” she said through tears. “He’d do anything.”
A student at Co-op Academy North Manchester, Israel was also a youth player with Hyde United and Manchester Panthers JFC.
He loved football, boxing, taekwondo, and going to the gym and always showing a natural talent and hunger for sport and self-improvement.
His sister said the family was “hysterical” when police broke the tragic news. Their mother remains deeply heartbroken and in shock.
“Even now I keep thinking of him, and I just cry,” she added. “It doesn’t feel real at all.”
The family has launched a GoFundMe to give Israel a dignified funeral and honor his unforgettable, impactful life, reports Mirror.
