Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Teenager’s tram death tragedy

by Chris Osuh
25/ 6/2008

A TEENAGER with autism who died after jumping in front of a tram had walked out of college when he was told a class trip to Blackpool was called off.

Jonathon Rowarth, 17 suffered head and chest injuries in the accident on Friday morning.

The driver and passengers reported seeing him jump in front of the tram on lines near Manchester Central. On the morning of his death Jonathon had been left disappointed when Loreto College staff said a class trip to Blackpool had been postponed because a coach hadn’t turned up.

Experts say people with autism often attach great importance to routine. Jonathon walked out of college and staff members followed him in a car, trying to get him to come back. But they became caught in traffic and lost sight of him.

Jonathon’s mum, Joanne Howles, 36, said: "I just feel numb. When the police said he had jumped in front of a tram I said ‘he wouldn’t do that’. But something so trivial to us to someone with autism is devastating.

"He’s my only child. He loved Playstation games and music and he was very good at English. He was on the student council and very interested in politics and drama.People with autism don’t show much emotion but he could be a loving lad. He had his moments. He led as normal a life as he could. As long as you stuck to a routine he was all right.When he walked out of the house on Friday morning I didn’t expect never to see him again."

Jonathon, of Hope Street, Dukinfield had a form of autism said to be ‘high-functioning’.It meant that he was good academically and comfortable with showing affection but that he could have problems with social skills.

His mother said she had encouraged him to be ‘as independent as possible’, while keeping a close eye on his movements.

He was expected to go to his grandmother’s house after the trip to Blackpool so when he went missing on Friday, his mother thought he may have gone straight there.