Tragic twist of fate for Ribchester crash victim (28)

AN eight-year-old boy orphaned in a car accident 19 years ago has had his life taken only a mile from the tragic scene.
Tributes to Dean DewhurstTributes to Dean Dewhurst
Tributes to Dean Dewhurst

Dean Dewhurst and his two brothers were sat in the backseat in 1997 and were lucky to escape with their lives when their parents were killed in a head-on collision on the A59 near Clitheroe.

But yesterday, 28-year-old Dean, from Ribchester, was killed near the very same road before his silver Volkswagen Golf and a lorry collided on Whalley Road near Clitheroe.

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Dean’s parents Julie and Phillip, also from Ribchester, were killed after setting off on a family holiday when their dark green Honda Concerto saloon collided with a Ford flat-back vehicle transporter on the A59 at Sawley Brow. Ambulance crews took Dean and his brothers, who were six and three at the time, to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with cuts and bruises.

In a terrible twist of fate, yesterday Dean was pronounced dead only a mile away from the same road off the A59..

His former boss at the Derby Arms in Longridge said: “Dean was a really happy go lucky person, who lived life to the full.”

Tributes have poured in for the “party animal with a heart of gold”, who worked in the Derby Arms in Longridge.

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Jessica Treacy posted on Facebook to say: “RIP Dean Dewhurst absolutely heart breaking, such a funny and loving person! Only the other week we were playing the pub quiz and wouldn’t leave until we won! You are an absolute star Dean! Lots of love pal.”

Ryan Taylor also paid tribute, saying: “Devastated mate, truly devastated. RIP fella, will never forget that smile and swagger!”

“I’m so sad Deano. Such a nice guy. My heart goes out to your family. You’ll be so sadly missed,” posted Sam Baker.

Neighbours say he and his brothers have been brought up by their grandmother, Cathy Martin and his grandfather Anthony. Sadly, Anthony died in 2012.

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Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses. David Hurst of the Road Policing Unit said: “A man has sadly died as a result of this collision and an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has any information that could assist with our investigation to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 65 of September 26

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