Tribute to Middlewich man Peter Cope who died in Wheelock Bypass crash

Shortly after 3am on Sunday, December 21, Cheshire Police was called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a HGV and a pedestrian. Emergency services attended the scene on the A534 Wheelock Bypass, between Wheelock and Crewe, where the pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead. He has since been named as 45-year-old Peter Cope, with an inquest into his death being opened at Warrington Coroner's Court on Wednesday.

A coroner officer explained to the court Mr Cope, a Middlewich resident who was born in Crewe, was walking along the dark and unlit road when he was hit by a vehicle. His family said he had been out in Sandbach town centre celebrating his birthday just hours earlier. Paying tribute to him, they said: "Peter was a devoted father to his five-year-old daughter, a husband, a stepfather, a son, and a brother.

"He had been out celebrating his birthday in Sandbach town centre with his friend. "We are devastated by his death." During the brief coronial hearing on Wednesday, the coroner officer stated an inquest was required in this case due to the cause of death being 'unnatural'.

They requested an inquest be opened and adjourned to allow for further work to be completed. Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, said: "On the evidence I have heard, I am satisfied Peter Terence Cope will require an inquest. "I shall therefore formally open an inquest and adjourn it to be heard on June 3.

There will be an internal review by the coroner on March 26."

Cheshire Police has appealed for any witnesses to the collision, or anyone with any dash-cam footage, to get in touch.

To do so, call the force on 101, quoting IML-2237688, or visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us