ATHERTON soccer player Craig Guest was given 100 pints of blood in the fight for his life.

But 21 years-old Craig, of Hunt Street, a former pupil of Hesketh Fletcher High School, died in Manchester Royal Infirmary less than 72 hours after falling onto railings close to the Nynex Arena.

He had been taking a short cut to Victoria railway station with friends Paul Mason, 21, of Tyldesley Old Road, and Craig Higgins, 21, of Mather Street, Atherton, when the accident happened and he was speared by railings through his leg and groin.

Paul told The Journal about the celebration shopping trip tragedy with Craig and another friend, Craig Higgins, who was on a three-week holiday from helping build the new Hong Kong Airport.

He said: "I was with Craig Higgins making our way back to the railway station so we could get home to watch the Manchester United match and Craig was in front of us when he obviously realised he had gone the wrong way.

"Instead of coming back on the road he decided to try to join us by climbing the fence and that's when the accident happened.

"He shouted out and we sent for an ambulance. He dropped into my arms off the fence and a bus driver came across and we all tried to stop the bleeding but it was everywhere.

"I just can't believe this happened. We have been mates since we were about 10 or 11 and it hasn't sunk in!"

Paul and Craig joined the family in keeping vigil at the hospital.

A keen Liverpool FC supporter, Craig, a popular local lad who ran his own second hand shop in Atherton, has left a host of trophies as a reminder for the years he had spent playing for Hindsford Football Club.

His mum Sandra, 47, dad Alan, 48, and brother Stuart, 11, are heartbroken by the tragedy.

Mr. Guest said "We just can't believe it has happened, and we don't really know the full details yet. It is a huge shock to the whole family and to all his friends."

Hindsford cancelled two of their games at the weekend.

Club chairman John Grundy, said: "Craig was a great lad. Any father would be proud of him."

Craig's funeral is on Monday.

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