| Location | Manchester |
| Age | 12 years |
| Cause of Death | Road Traffic Collision |
| Date of Birth | 3/1990 |
| Date of Death | 25/02/2003 |
| Visitors | 1,146 since 18/11/2008 |
| Creator |
Rachel Sumner, 12, died with her mother, Valerie, and other family members at her bedside at the
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury.
Rachel, a pupil at North Manchester High School for Girls, had just left a church youth club on
Friday when she was hit by a police car answering a 999 call on Rochdale Road, in Blackley.
It is believed she was crossing the road to meet her mother when she was struck by the Vauxhall
estate car, which is understood to have had its blue lights and siren switched on.
Doctors initially believed Rachel, from Harpurhey, was making progress in her fight for life.
But then yesterday (Tuesday), following lengthy discussions between medical staff and her
heartbroken mother, the decision was made to switch off the life support machine.
Rachel's family have spoken of their grief, but say they are also devastated for the police
constable who was driving the car.
Rachel's great uncle, Harold Smith, 75, said: "The family feel very, very much for the driver - they
feel heartbroken for him.
"At this stage, there is no hint of complaint against the police and emergency services, they just
feel that the driver has no reason to feel so bad, he was doing his proper job."
Rachel's father, Arthur, died 10 years ago from a brain tumour and after that, she was brought up by
her mum.
Mr Smith, who lives in Bath, said: "It is just very sad because Rachel is all Valerie had got - and
now she has gone."
False hopes
He said Valerie was left with little choice following the medical conference yesterday. He added:
"Rachel had been in a coma since Friday and we had false hopes that she would come through.
"We knew there would be a possibility that she might be brain damaged and that her life might not be
viable.
"Doctors did a scan and held a conference. They spoke to Valerie and conveyed the message that
sadly, there was no hope and there was no point in trying to keep her going on the machine."
Mr Smith said Rachel was a "happy and cheerful girl". He added that the family wished to express
their appreciation for the comfort offered by Greater Manchester Police, Pendlebury Children's
Hospital and the emergency services.
The police driver was responding to reports of youths armed with baseball bats fighting in
Haverfield Road, Blackley. When police arrived, they found youths, with no weapons, who left in two
cars. The Police Complaints Authority is carrying out an investigation into the tragedy.
Rachel's family were moved to compose a poem, including the lines:
Bright star, Hovering now
After a 12-year Earth landing,
Before returning To the Milky Way.
Dear blessed Rachel, We have to let you go.
Brilliant scholar,
beloved daughter of Valerie and Arthur.
Cheeky monkey,Still fresh, unfolding.
Adored by Mom and Nan and John,
Jean and her John, And friends galore.
A splendid gift, A thing of eternal Beauty.
You brought us joy, Love, comfort, content,
And now you have an appointment
With God and those Who have gone ahead
Goodnight, God bless Rachel.
Sleep tight, Little space traveller,
A bright star,
Returned to the universe.
Your 6th Anniversary
Hi sweetie
Time is passing so fast. I can't believe that it's been six years since you passed away. It feels like yesterday in some ways.
I'm thinking of your Mum and Grandma and all the family today. We all love and miss you Rach.
All our love, always x0x0x0x
merry xmas
wishing you a merry xmas and happy new year , all the best for 2009 ; all my love debs xx
Rach...
...I wrote your name upon my heart, and there it stays. With love, kisses and gentle hugs.
I hope you're taking good care of your Grand pops John....Well, I know that you are babes!!
Love you always
Auntie Lu xxxx
merry christmas xx
+ . . * + * * . + * .*.++
. * + * JUST * + .
+ . . * + . + * . * +
* . + *sending.* + .
+ . . * + . + * . * + .
+ , *SOME. +christmas *
+ . . * + . + * . * + .*
.love * *to. * THIS.* .
. * + * * + . *+ *
+ ..PAGE.. * + . +
+ ....* + . + * . * +
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A candle to remember,
May it burn ever so bright
As we look to the heavens
On this very night.
Beyond the stars,
Your dear one soars
Embraced by there Savior
On heaven's shores.
As the angels protect them
And sing there sweet name
We honor there life
With the glow of this flame.
So we light this candle
For our loved ones today
As a symbol of our love
And there eternal life.
with all our love
mell,paul family.
.....{\......._____.....,
.....{*.\.....(*~*~*).../}
....{.~.*\....////^^\../~}
....{*....\..(((/.6.6./.*}
....{..*.~.\.)))c..=.)*..}
.....{*...*.////'_/~`.~.}
......{~.*.((((.`.`\.*}' ..::�
.......`{.~.)))`\.\))_.-:*:-
..........`{.(()..`\_.-'`.`:'
............`)/.`..|
.............(....\'
..............\....\
.........._ .__\...|
........|` `'...``C;
........|./``-../../
........`'......|./
................/.`-._
................`-----
An Angel kissed my tears away today
when I was sad.
I wasn't feeling quite myself
my day had been so bad.
I felt a warmth brush by me
that quickly dried my tears.
A gentle, kind, and loving touch
that seemed to hold me near.
Immediately, I felt so much better
and the day seemed brighter too.
I guess that's just the way you feel
when an Angel comforts you.
.....{\......._____.....,
.....{*.\.....(*~*~*).../}
....{.~.*\....////^^\../~}
....{*....\..(((/.6.6./.*}
....{..*.~.\.)))c..=.)*..}
.....{*...*.////'_/~`.~.}
......{~.*.((((.`.`\.*}' ..::�
.......`{.~.)))`\.\))_.-:*:-
..........`{.(()..`\_.-'`.`:'
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..............\....\
.........._ .__\...|
........|` `'...``Y;
........|./``-../../
........`'......|./
................/.`-._
................`-----
Hi sweetie...
I hope that you're climbing all the trees and playing football...or have you grown out of that stage now? Perhaps you're a young lady wearing trendy fashion gear...and trying out make-up! Well, I think you are pretty enough and don't need it! Actually, I think you're gorgeous.."mwah"
We all miss you Rach,
We all love you...
Your Mum hasn't been the same person since you were taken away from her. She quite often lays out your dinner plate on the table. We try to help her, but she won't accept any help.
I pray that you are safe, warm and have made lots of new Angel friends. I pray for your Mum.
Auntie Lucy
x0x0x0x0x
Tears for tragic Rachel
A SCHOOL is to create a memorial garden in tribute to a young pupil who died after being hit by a police car on a 999 call.
Staff and pupils at North Manchester High School for Girls have also put together a book of memories of 12-year-old Rachel Sumner which they will give to her mum Valerie.
A whole community turned out to say their final farewell to their "Little Miss Sunshine" on Friday.
Christ Church on Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, was packed with mourners who included classmates and teachers, along with kitchen and cleaning staff, who joined close family and friends at a moving funeral service.
MOURNING: Rachel's mum Valerie
The vicar, the Rev Mark Ashcroft, told the congregation: "We are losing a young girl who brought love and laughter into many people's lives, and it feels like someone has turned the sun off in the middle of the day.
"We feel cold and lonely and our world is the poorer because she is not with us.
"Rachel was always so full of life, a bit of a tomboy, a bit of a cheeky monkey at times; loving her football but always a true friend, and always looking so smart with her beautiful hair and her winning smile."
GRIEF: A friend fights back the tears
A tribute to Rachel, on behalf of friends, was made by church youth volunteer Laura Hays, who said: "She was always smiling. She loved life and lived it wholeheartedly. Even from nursery school she would have a go at anything.
"We will always remember her for her little handshakes, and the nicknames she had for everybody; for pizza fights and being unable ever to keep a straight face during a serious presentation.
"She did anything for anyone and was a class clown, but first and foremost she was a loving and caring person."
The sombre mood was lightened by a recording of pals singing along to the theme tune of one of her favourite TV shows, Friends, followed by a recording of one of her favourite groups - local Christian band The Tribe.
Deputy head Lesley Greenwood said: "Rachel's death has had a profound effect on the whole school. She was always full of life and energy and bounded everywhere."
08/03/2003
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