Second young life lost on deadly Skelmersdale road

Oct 9 2008 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

Road death Teaser

CALLS have been made to make a dangerous road safer after the death of a second teenager there in four years.

Christian Willis died after suffering a fractured skull in a road accident.

The 14-year-old was crossing Houghtons Road in Skelmersdale at 3.50pm last Thursday when he collided with a red Skoda Octavia private hire taxi.

Christian, a highly regarded pupil at Lathom High School, also suffered fractures to his arms, shoulders and one of his legs. He was treated at Ormskirk General Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where he died at 4pm on Friday.

The driver of the Skoda was uninjured but suffered shock.

Douglas Bruce, Lathom High head said: “We are all extremely upset and shocked. Christian was held in high regard by his classmates, who are devastated at his loss, and he had a great many other friends, not just in his own year group but in other years as well.

“All our thoughts and sympathy are with Christian's family at this very difficult time.”

Friends left floral tributes to Christian close to the scene. One said: ‘We all think about you, we all love you and we will all miss you very much. I hope you are looking down on us now.’

Another said: ‘We don’t think this should have happened to such a nice person’.

The teenager's black Samsung D600e mobile phone was lost at the scene and his devastated family are appealing for its return.

PS Dave Tonge said: “His family are understandably anxious that it is recovered. I would appeal for anyone who has found the phone or knows its whereabouts to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information on the incident call Police Sergeant Dave Tonge on 01695 566486.

Four years ago Skelmersdale teenager Jamie Rigby, 19, was killed instantly when his Honda Civic was involved in a head-on collision with a van on the same road.

MP Rosie Cooper said: “Although these circumstances are different, this accident raises some serious questions about road safety. I am meeting County Council Cabinet Members to discuss the matter. I shall raise the issue of hazards that pedestrians in Skelmersdale face due to the lack of pavements along the roads with Communities Secretary Hazel Blears.”

Ward councillor Mary Pendleton said: “There have been accidents here before and we are looking into visiting the site to see what can be done

Road campaigner Margaret Highton said: “People are forced to walk on the road because there are no footpaths. I’m sure the people living in this area will be campaigning on this.”