A store manager witnessed the shocking moment a teenager fell to his death from the Arndale Centre.
Danny Melia, 18, of Water Street, fell from the multi-storey car park on Monday evening.
Kath Jones, warehouse manager at B&M Bargains rushed to his side after he fell. She said: "It was just instinct. I saw him fall and I just ran to help him. He was alive when I got there, but I knew nothing could be done.
"I asked the security man if I could touch him, I held his hand and said a prayer for him. I didn’t think it was right for him to die alone."
Paramedics attended and the teenager was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Tributes have poured in from the Blackburn College student’s family and friends.
Best friend Tommy Millington, 18, of Belfield Avenue, said: "He was the brother I never had. He was all I could wish and hope for, a mate in a million that was funny caring and loving.
"He was full of great ambition and had a wicked sense of humour."
Friend and former girlfriend Laura Elliott, 18, of Blackburn said: "He was a fun-loving guy, he was always happy to talk to you. He loved to laugh and joke, he was always saying random things that made you laugh.
"He never did a thing wrong. He built up his life, he had a job, he’d just got a car that he’d worked really hard for.
"I’m devastated. He’ll be missed."
Danny had ambitions to follow his brother into a career as an engineer at British Aerospace. He was also a keen skateboarder and used to visit Accrington skate park.
A Facebook group set up in his memory called R.I.P. Danny Melia has more than 3,000 members and has been inundated with messages.
One message reads: "I still cant believe you’re gone, you seem to have left us as quickly as you appeared.
"You had such a great ability to make those around you smile, this happy glow made you such a nice person, you were awesome Danny."
Another reads: "I’m so honoured and proud that I had the chance to meet you, Daniel. You were a true sweetheart and a precious soul."
Lisa O’Loughlin, vice-principal at Blackburn College, said: "Staff and students at the college are shocked and saddened at the news of Daniel’s untimely death.
"Daniel was in college on Monday and appeared happy and well. We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time and will be offering support to students, staff and the family in coming to terms with this sad news."
Danny had a weekend job at Argos in Accrington.
The store manager said: "Daniel was well liked among his colleagues here and enjoyed a good relationship with our weekend customers.
"He had been working at this store since July 2008 and his presence will be sorely missed by those who knew him best here.
"We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to Daniel’s family and friends."
Tommy Millington has organised a celebration of Danny’s life at his favourite pub, the Peel Park Hotel, on Turkey Street, on Sunday (April 25) from noon.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, but are not treating it as suspicious.
His death has been referred to the coroner.
