Eight die in tragic South West road incidents in just two weeks

Eight people have tragically died in crashes on roads across the South West in recent weeks. Police are investigating six incidents, including one which involved multiple arrests. First, motorbike rider died following a crash near Kingsbridge[1] on April 14.

Brett Scott was travelling on the A379 when he was involved in the fatal two-vehicle collision[2] on Friday (April 14). The 59-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash which took place between Kingsbridge and Bantham Cross at around 2.20pm. Next, a crash on the A390 near Liskeard, happened on Tuesday, April 18 at around 11:50pm.

Emergency services were called to reports that a vehicle had left the road. The vehicle was found to be on fire and three occupants, two men aged 18 and 30 and a 16-year-old boy, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Tributes were paid online to the two teenagers Luke Warner, 16, and Jamie Lane, 18.[3] Luke’s mum Leanne said on Facebook: “There are no words that can ever comprehend how we feel.

We have lost the spark of our family, in the most horrific of circumstances. I need time to process this, which I never will, our hearts are broken into a million pieces. “Luke Warner we love you so much, I am living a nightmare.

I cannot believe I am writing this….

16 years of loving you wasn’t long enough.” Jamie Lane’s dad Dave said: “My life has just took another down spiral when will this ever end rip Jamie. “You were my son and I loved you fly free son.”

Following the incident, four teenagers – two boys and two girls from Liskeard – were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Devon and Cornwall Police seized a second vehicle,[4] thought to be linked to the crash. Sergeant Tina Green from the Bodmin Serious Collision Investigation Team said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives and our investigation remains ongoing to understand the full circumstances of how this tragic incident occurred. “Whilst our enquiries are ongoing there will be an increased police presence in the area of the collision and in the wider Liskeard area.

I would encourage anyone with information which might assist police and anyone who was travelling in the area and may have relevant dash-cam footage to report it to us.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or report it online here[5], quoting reference 50230120322. While on Wednesday, April 26, a man died after he was hit by a lorry on the M5.

It happened on the southbound carriageway between junctions 23 and 24 in Somerset at around 10pm. Despite the efforts of paramedics and officers, sadly died at the scene. His next of kin has been informed and are being supported by specially trained a family liaison officer.

On Thursday, April 27, a 17-year-old died and a second teenager sustained life-changing injuries in a two-vehicle crash on the A388 at Stoke Climsland[6]. The accident involved a white Ford Transit flatbed truck driven by a 44-year-old male from the Plymouth area and a white Vauxhall Corsa driven by a 17-year-old female from the Okehampton area. Sadly, the driver sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

A 16-year-old front-seat passenger in the Corsa was taken to Derriford Hospital with serious life-changing injuries. The driver of the Ford Transit, a 44-year-old man, received treatment for minor injuries at Derriford. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and was taken to Charles Cross Police Station for questioning.

Yesterday (April 28), a further two crashes took place elsewhere in Cornwall. At around 7:10pm, police were called to reports of a single-vehicle collision on Swanpool Road in Falmouth. The rider of a silver Yamaha motorbike, a man in his 20s from Falmouth, was confirmed deceased at the scene.[7]

Those who may have witnessed the collision or who have information, dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage that could assist the investigation is asked to report on the using the Devon & Cornwall Police website[8] or calling 101 and quoting log 809 of April 28. Another fatal incident took place late yesterday evening. Police were called at around 10:20pm yesterday following reports of a single-vehicle collision on the A39 at Crimp near Bude.

Officers attended and the road was closed overnight as an investigation took place. The driver of a Nissan 200 SX, a man in his 20s from Bude, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The passenger, a woman in her 20s from Penzance was also taken to hospital but was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have information or dash-cam footage that may assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or report via the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.[9]

References

1. ^ Kingsbridge (www.devonlive.com)
2. ^ the fatal two-vehicle collision (www.devonlive.com)
3. ^ Tributes were paid online to the two teenagers Luke Warner, 16, and Jamie Lane, 18. (www.cornwalllive.com)
4. ^ Devon and Cornwall Police seized a second vehicle, (www.cornwalllive.com)
5. ^ here (www.devon-cornwall.police.uk)
6. ^ two-vehicle crash on the A388 at Stoke Climsland (www.cornwalllive.com)
7. ^ a man in his 20s from Falmouth, was confirmed deceased at the scene. (www.cornwalllive.com)
8. ^ Devon & Cornwall Police website (www.devon-cornwall.police.uk)
9. ^ here. (www.devon-cornwall.police.uk)