Star footballer and car crash killer Courtney Meppen-Walter dies aged 32

Former Manchester City youth player Courtney Meppen-Walter has died at the age of 32.

His death was announced by his old club, Bury, which wrote that it was “deeply saddened” to learn of the news.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Bury FC are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement on social media said.

The cause and circumstances of Meppen-Walter’s death have not been released.

The defender was released by Bury last summer.

He was also a former England under-18 captain and played for Carlisle United, Chorley, Stockport, and Telford United.

In a statement, Telford United said that it was “saddened” by Meppen-Walter’s death and he was “tragically young”.

The statement said: “We send our sincere condolences and warmest best wishes to Courtney’s family, friends, and those with whom he shared a dressing room, and hope the goodwill shown to you by the football community can be a comfort at this difficult time.”

Meppen-Walter was jailed in 2013 for causing the death of two people by dangerous driving.

The footballer was at the wheel of his grandfather's "high-powered" Mercedes C220 saloon and doing nearly double the 30mph speed limit when he hit a Nissan Micra emerging from a side street in central Manchester.

The court heard that Meppen-Walter had been “jockeying” and “playing games” with a friend in another vehicle before the crash.

The Nissan driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister, front-seat passenger Ravel Kaur, 37, were both killed.

Both victims had come to the UK in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban.

Ms Kaur's two sons, aged 16 and 17, both back-seat passengers, were injured in the crash.

The crash left them orphans, as their father had been killed in Afghanistan.

Meppen-Walter served half of his 16-month sentence and was handed a two-week trial by Carlisle United just days after he was released from prison.

In 2019, he was given a 22-month driving ban after being caught drink-driving.

He was twice over the legal limit after going drinking with friends at a Christmas market, and his car was later spotted on CCTV swerving in the road.

At his sentencing, he told the judge: “I know what you are probably thinking and what everyone else is thinking. I will probably get called every named under the sun and I deserve it. I’m just embarrassed.”

Jon Gold, the chair of another of Meppen-Walter’s former clubs, Nantwich, remembered him on Tuesday as a “larger than life character with the biggest heart”.

In a tribute on the club’s website, Gold said: “He left a lasting impression on everyone that was fortunate enough to meet him and whilst there were sadly some dark times in his life, something that he never shied away from, the Courtney we knew was full of positivity and inspiration and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all that knew him at such an incredibly sad time.”

Jamie Vermiglio, chair of Chorley, for whom Meppen-Walter had a stint in 2016, said via the club’s X account: “This is truly tragic news that will devastate so many people.”

He continued: “Many of us at Chorley FC considered Mepps a good friend.

“He was someone who stayed in touch with many of his former team-mates and remained a much-loved part of the friendships he made during his time with the club.”

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