Six men and women killed weeks before Christmas on region’s roads

Six men and women have died just weeks before Christmas in a series of tragedies on roads across the region. Families across Merseyside have been devastated after losing loved ones in a number of fatal crashes in recent weeks. The latest tragedy came on Wanisher Lane in Ormskirk[1] on Friday, December 15, where a man in his 20s, from Liverpool, died after the car he was driving left the road and crashed into a tree.

Earlier that same day a 90-year-old woman also died after being hit by a car on Acrefield Road in Woolton[2]. Here's the details of each incident that has happened in the space of just three weeks and the police appeals.

November 25

At the end of November, an 81-year-old woman died[5] days after being hit by a car on Sefton[6] Road in Litherland[7]. Merseyside Police were called to the scene at around 5pm on Thursday, November 23, where they found a woman had been hit by a white Seat Leon car on the road near to its junction with Alexandra Mount. She was taken to hospital in a critical condition[8] but sadly died from her injuries on Saturday, November 25.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries. Officers are appealing for any witnesses, CCTV, doorbell and dash camera footage which may assist the investigation. If you can help, please call the Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747 or [email protected][9] or contact @MerPolCC on Twitter[10] or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook[11] quoting reference 23001179213.

December 1

David Burrows[12] was riding his bike to work at Pilkington, a glass company in St Helens[13], when he was hit by a car on Islands Brow[14], close to the junction with Hinckley Road at around 6.15am on Friday, December 1. He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries. The 59-year-old's family issued a tribute to David, who was described as a "kind and loving person." They said: "David died on Friday 1 December in a road traffic collision on his way to work.

David was a kind and loving person who loved his family, friends, music, biking and Pilkington where he was cherished. "As a family we are devastated and heartbroken by his loss. We are going to leave your chair empty for you on Christmas Day our Dave.

David leaves behind his brothers Stephen and Paul, his niece Amelia, his sister-in-law Amy and Margie and he cherished Sam and her cakes. "The family would like to thank Pilkington NSG for their amazing and continued support to his family. Pilkington was David's world and all of his work colleagues.

He was amazing and so, so loved and will be forever missed. God bless you our brother xx." A 60-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from the St Helens area were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision.

T[15]he man was later released under investigation and the woman was bailed pending further enquiries. Anyone who witnessed the collision or captured anything on CCTV or dashcam is asked to contact SCIU on (0151) 777 5747, or email [email protected][16]. Alternatively DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 23001212020.

December 3

Mary Grazulis[17] died after being hit by a blue Ford Focus on Canning Street, near the junction of Catharine Street[18] in Liverpool city centre[19] at around 5.47pm on Sunday, December 3. Emergency services[20] attended but the 92-year-old died from her injuries. After the incident, Mohamed Mahadi, 33 , of no fixed abode, was arrested and later charged with causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving, and causing death whilst driving an uninsured vehicle. He has been remanded to next appear at Liverpool Crown Court[21] on Tuesday 2 January.

If you have any information, you can contact the Roads Policing Team on 0151 777 5747, email [email protected] , or DM @MerPolTraffic on Twitter[22] quoting log 23001222489. December 4

A dad-of-two died after a crash in St Helens[23] on Monday, December 4. Paul Cunliffe[24] was travelling as a cyclist when he was involved in a crash with a silver Nissan Micra and a white Ford Transit on Sherdley Road, near to Peterlee Close, in St Helens[25]. The 40-year-old, from Thatto Heath, was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries.

His devastated family, including wife of 18 years Sarah and two sons Joshua and Dominic, paid tribute to him in a statement issued via Merseyside Police. They said: "Paul Cunliffe sadly passed away at the Walton[26] Centre, Aintree[27] Hospital having been involved in a road traffic collision on Monday, December 4 on Sherdley Road, St Helens. "Paul has left behind Sarah, his devastated wife of 18 years and two sons Joshua and Dominic.

He was the only child of parents Barbara and Stephen. Paul was a quiet man full of good humour and a caring nature. "Paul would do anything to help anyone and all of his friends and family have nothing but fond memories of him.

Paul lived in Sutton Heath all his life where he was well known growing up with his best friend Peter. "Paul made an impression on lots of people throughout his life including at his workplace, High Tech Steel in Bold where he had worked since he was 17. He loved working there and always had lots of funny stories to tell me when he got home.

"Paul will be deeply missed by all of his family and everyone he met. Please keep him in your thoughts." Police said both drivers of the Nissan Micra and a white Ford Transit van are assisting detectives with enquiries.

Officers have issued images of five vehicles that were in the area at the time of the crash and Merseyside Police are asking the drivers to come forward as they may have information which could assist their investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any dashcam footage of the collision is asked to call Merseyside Police's Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email [email protected][28], or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter[29] quoting reference 23001226394. December 15

Tributes were paid to a 90-year-old woman who died[30] after being hit by a car in Woolton[31].

Police and paramedics were called to Acrefield Road at 7.42pm on Friday, December 15, following reports of the crash. At the scene, officers found a woman in her 90s who had been hit by a silver Vauxhall Corsa. She suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

A 52-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving and death by dangerous driving. People paid tribute to the victim on the ECHO's Facebook[32] page, as Anne Marie Place said: "Poor woman getting to that age to be killed in that way." Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage, is asked to contact the Roads Policing Team on 0151 777 5747, email [email protected][33] or DM @MerPolTraffic on Twitter[34] quoting log 798 of 15 December.

December 15

A man in his 20s was killed after his car left the road and crashed into a tree. The man, from Liverpool, was driving a Renault Megane[35] on Wanisher Lane in Ormskirk[36] when it crashed into a tree at around 9.50pm on Friday, December 15. He suffered serious injuries and died at the scene. A passenger, also a man in his 20s, suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.

Lancashire Police is appealing for anyone who saw the crash itself or the Renault Megane in the moments before to contact them. Bouquets of white and orange roses were left at the scene on Saturday as loved ones shared tributes on social media to the man who will "be missed by so many." In a statement, Sgt Paul McCurrie, of the Road Policing Unit, said: "Very sadly this collision has resulted in a young man losing his life and our thoughts are with his loved ones.

I would appeal to anyone who saw the collision itself or the Renault Megane in the moments before to get in touch. I would also appeal to anyone who may have any dashcam footage to contact us." Anyone with information can call 101 quoting log 1382 of Dec 15 or you can email us at [email protected][37]

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References

1. ^ Ormskirk (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Woolton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Woman bursts into tears in B&M after looking in shopping trolley (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Schoolgirl's heartbreaking 'letter to Father Christmas' that 'no child should write' (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ 81-year-old woman died (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
6. ^ Sefton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
7. ^ Litherland (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
8. ^ was taken to hospital in a critical condition (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
9. ^ [email protected] (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
10. ^ Twitter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
11. ^ Facebook (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
12. ^ David Burrows (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
13. ^ St Helens (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
14. ^ when he was hit by a car on Islands Brow (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
15. ^ failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision.

    T (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)

16. ^ [email protected] (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
17. ^ Mary Grazulis (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
18. ^ junction of Catharine Street (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
19. ^ Liverpool city centre (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
20. ^ Emergency services (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
21. ^ Crown Court (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
22. ^ Twitter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
23. ^ St Helens (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
24. ^ Paul Cunliffe (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
25. ^ St Helens (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
26. ^ Walton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
27. ^ Aintree (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
28. ^ [email protected] (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
29. ^ Twitter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
30. ^ 90-year-old woman who died (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
31. ^ Woolton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
32. ^ Facebook (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
33. ^ [email protected] (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
34. ^ Twitter (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
35. ^ The man, from Liverpool, was driving a Renault Megane (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
36. ^ Ormskirk (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
37. ^ [email protected] (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
38. ^ Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)