TRIBUTES have poured in for a talented Widnes sportsman who bled to death after celebrating his 18th birthday with friends.
Tom Lunt was in venues in Widnes town centre, including Bar Reef, until after midnight but was involved in an accident on his way home.
A post-mortem examination revealed he died from blood loss after severing an artery in his right arm on a broken window.
His team-mates from Moorfield AFC and friends, who he was celebrating with, are devastated by his death.
His friends told the Weekly News they tried to encourage him to get a taxi home but he insisted on making his own way back to Proctors Close, Halton View.
He collapsed and died half way there.
Mr Lunt's body was discovered behind a house in Warrington Road.
Gary Wood, Moorfield AFC's club captain, said: 'He will be remembered by all as a fantastic individual who got on with everyone.
'Tom was one of a kind, a kind young gentleman, someone you trust. We had many fantastic times together and endless laughs, he will be sorely missed. I for one will never forget his cheeky smile and laugh - Tom will be in all of our thoughts forever.'
Police say a window of a house on Albert Road was broken from the outside at around 1am.
Officers sealed off both sides of Halton View bridge after blood was discovered between the house and nearby Albert Road and in an alley behind Page Lane.
Police immediately rejected rumours over the weekend that he had been the victim of a fatal stabbing and described his death was a 'tragic accident'.
In a statement released this week, Mr Lunt's grieving family paid tribute to him saying: 'Tom was a wonderful lad who had many friends.
'He was a credit to his mum and will be sorely missed by his friends and family.
'His life was cricket and football. He excelled at all sports and let's not forget his second home - the Moorfield Club.'
Moorfield's website has been flooded with messages of support and the club will hold a minute's silence at their next game.
