Cameron Brooksbank dead: Tree surgeon whose hand was cut off in attack that featured on The Detectives passes away
A TREE surgeon whose hand was cut off in an attack featured on BBC show The Detectives has died.
Tributes have been paid to the young man whose violent assault by a crime gang in Rochdale features in new BBC series The Detectives.
Cameron, then 18, had to have his hand surgically reattached following the gruesome attack in 2017.
Cops say his recent death is not being treated as suspicious.
They say they will comment more after tonight’s final episode of the three-part crime documentary shown on BBC Two.
The new fly-on-the-wall series shows Greater Manchester Police’s efforts to bring down an organised crime group known as “The Adam”.
Members of the gang based on the Newbold Estate in Rochdale were said to be involved in the incident which inflicted life-changing injuries on Cameron in October 2017.
He and four tree surgeon workmates were set upon after intervening in a road rage dispute on the estate, trying to help a member of the public.
A trial later heard how Adam OCG member Habibur Rahman felt ”disrespected” and assembled a mob of up to 20 men.
Among them was Mohammed Awais Sajid – also known as “Skinny” – who repeatedly wielded an axe at Cameron, who used his arm to try to fend off a blow aimed at his head.
The victim had his hand reattached in life-saving surgery but needed five further ops over the next two years, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told.
Sajid was later jailed for 18 years after being convicted of Section 18 wounding.
Rahman was put behind bars for four-and-a-half years on an assault charge after the court was told he used a knuckleduster to punch one of the other tree surgeons in the face, breaking his nose.
The case features in the new BBC Two series, including how Cameron finally had his day in court. while the attack prompted further police efforts to dismantle the gang.
There have now also been online tributes to the young tree surgeon after news of his death emerged.
One local website told how his loss had “sent shockwaves through the Rochdale community”.
It said: “Cameron Brooksbank held a special place in the hearts of Rochdale’s residents, as he was intricately woven into the town’s history and an unwavering champion for its people.
“Cameron’s remarkable courage shone through when he triumphed over a traumatic assault in 2017.
“Through sheer determination, he not only made a remarkable recovery but also emerged as a beacon of inspiration to fellow Rochdale residents.”
Cameron features in the new The Detectives series, recalling of the attack: “The first hit was on my left hand side just under my armpit – it went that far in, he had to yank it back out.
“I felt something warm and wet – as I turned around I saw the axe was about here and I put my arm up.
“The axe went through the top of my wrist and then it shattered my bone.
“I remember absolutely every single second of that day.”
He also told of the devastating impact the attack had on his life, adding: “I am not the same person as I was two years ago and I don’t think I ever will be.”
Greater Manchester Police today said: “Cameron sadly passed away this year in non-suspicious circumstances.
“We will be posting something in memory of him this evening once the show has aired.”