A 65-year-old woman from Wallasey has been arrested after a cyclist died in a collision on Rowson Street, New Brighton, last Friday morning. Merseyside Police confirmed she was taken into custody on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and failing to stop at the scene. She was questioned at a police station and has since been released under investigation, the force said.
Crash details emerge
The incident occurred at around 11:30am on Friday 5 June. John Edward Carr, a 68-year-old cyclist from New Brighton, was riding along Rowson Street when he swerved to avoid a Nissan Micra, according to Merseyside Police. In doing so, he collided with a stationary van that was waiting at traffic lights. The driver of the van stopped at the scene and is assisting officers with their inquiries.
Emergency services attended, and an air ambulance landed in a children’s playground on nearby Egerton Street before departing shortly afterwards. Mr Carr was taken to hospital in a critical condition but later died. Road closures were put in place on Rowson Street between Hope Street and Albion Street while investigators examined the scene; the road has since reopened.
Family tribute to ‘real person’
Mr Carr’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as “one of the kindest, funniest, most open-minded people you could meet”. They said: “He had such a big heart and he never really lost that childlike sense of wonder. He could find joy in the simplest things, including staying up far too late playing golf games on his VR headset, or chuckling away at silly YouTube videos.”
The family noted that Mr Carr spent 27 years working as a cook in the Merchant Navy and had “so many wild and hilarious stories from his life”. They added: “He would never fail to make us laugh or look out for us and he always loved us unconditionally. We still can’t understand how he has been taken from us so suddenly. It doesn’t feel real. We don’t want him to just become another headline. He was a real person. He was loved and he mattered.”
Police appeal for footage
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, from Merseyside Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “First and foremost, my thoughts and those of my team are with the man’s family at this desperately sad time. For someone to lose their life on the road is tragic and my priority now is to get answers for his family.” He added: “Although a woman was later traced and arrested, we are still keen to gather as much dashcam and other footage as possible. Please check any devices and come forward if you live, work or were passing the area around the time of the collision. Front and rear dashcams can often capture vital evidence without the driver being aware. Please review those devices and if you can help, get in touch with our team.”
DS Timpson also thanked members of the public who rushed to help Mr Carr as he lay injured. “It’s often the case that we see the very best of human nature after such distressing events,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police via X or Facebook @MerPolCC, quoting reference 26000446913. Information can also be submitted through the force’s website at www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously. Aftermath Support is available for those affected by the incident.
