Van driver dies
after collision
by David Skentelbery
A 35-year-old Warrington man has been killed in a horrific road crash during the night.
The man, who was driving a Peugeot van, was pronounced dead at Warrington Hospital, following a collision between his vehicle and a Scania articulated lorry on the A574 at Birchwood.
The driver of the articulated lorry, a 29-year-old man, also from Warrington, was unhurt.
Fire crews from Birchwood and Warrington used cutting gear to release the van driver from his wrecked vehicle and helped clear wreckage from the roadway.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the crash. Anyone who can help is asked to call 0845 458 0000, extension 3813.
Meanwhile, the man killed in a tragic road accident at Burtonwood, near Warrington, was a father of three children, police have revealed.
He was Neil David McSpirit, aged 35, of Clockface, St Helens.
A keen motor cyclist, he was riding his machine along Burtonwood Road, in the direction of Warrington, when he was in collision with a heavy lorry travelling in the opposite direction.
It is believed Mr McSpirit was killed instantly at the scene. A 30-year-old woman who was riding pillion on his machine suffered serious injuries and was taken to Warrington Hospital by ambulance.
She is said to be in a serious but stable condition. The lorry driver is understood to have escaped unhurt.
In a statement, Mr McSpirit?s family said he was the father of three children, one of who was a step-child.
He loved motor cycling and airgun shooting.
They described him as a fun-loving man, although he had been quiet over the last two years since the death of his mother.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the crash. Anyone who can help should call PC Andy Hunt on 01244 613013.
Service for people who
have lost loved ones
by John Hendon
REMEMBRANCE and reflection was the focus of a special Memorial Service at St. Albans Roman Catholic Church, Bewsey Road, Warrington.
Co-op Funeral Services, also on Bewsey Road, organised the remembrance service so all those who have suffered a loss could join together, along with their friends, families and neighbours, to remember, reflect and commemorate the lives of those being remembered.
More than 150 people filled the church and more than ?450 was raised during the service. In addition to prayers and seasonal carols, all those present were invited to light a candle in remembrance of their loved one. All donations were collected in aid of the NCH (National Children’s Home) Butterfly Project, which provides emotional and practical support to children with terminal illnesses and their families.
Funeral Home manager Tony Molyneux said: “The service was a very fitting and seasonal tribute and was attended by so many people that the church was full. It has definitely been the best attendance of any year so far and I hope that the service provided some comfort to those who find this time of year difficult.”
New mercy helicopter
takes to the air
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE latest state-of-the-art helicopter for the North West Air Ambulance Service, called Katie, is now in use.
Several councils in the Warrington area regularly contribute to the service, which is a registered charity and the region’s only medical air emergency service.
The service was upgraded after receiving a ?500,000 residual legacy from the estate of the late Katie Caine from Thornton Cleveleys a year ago. The helicopter was named after her and blessed at a special ceremony.
The new yellow helicopter will provide a faster and more efficient emergency service for the region, including the whole of Warrington and Cheshire. It is one of the new generation of light-twin EMS helicopters which has been developed in close cooperation with doctors, rescue experts, designers and engineers.
It enables the service to cut its maximum flying speed from 10 to eight minutes to the nearest appropriate hospital anywhere in the region. It also has more room for paramedics to work on board and will now be able to carry a relative or friend of the patient.
Wolves coach praises
student “winners”
WOLVES’ coach Paul Cullen praised Warrington’s leading young learners when Warrington Collegiate held its annual college award presentation evening at the Gateway centre.
Cullen compared those receiving prizes to his own players when he said: “We speak the same language both at the rugby club and the Collegiate. Life rewards those who don’t give up and I’m delighted to share in your success.”
Students across a range of course disciplines were honoured. Special achievement winners were:
Construction: Gary Whiston and Anthony Highfield; Expressive Arts: Graeme Coll and Claire Hardman; 14-16 YPP: Chris Hall and Andrew Latham; Service Industry: Ross Bradley and Holly Hendrick; Beauty: Hayley Pepper and Amy Houghton; Hair: Laura Hutchinson and Nicole Crossley; Care: Leanne Best and Jacqueline Linaker; Computing: Daniel Bates and Lyndsay Oliver; Apprenticeships: David Towney and Simon Wilkinson.
Hotel opens new
leisure club
by staff report
THE new re-developed leisure club at Warrington?s De Vere Daresbury Park Hotel was officially opened by Lord Daresbury, head of De Vere Hotels.
Members ? whether hotel guests or local residents ? can now make use of a modernised gym, enhanced swimming pool, refurbished and modernised squash court.
There is also a spa pool, fun shower, cloud steam room and beauty salon with two treatment rooms, relaxation room and two bail bar stations.
The Daresbury Park has 183 bedrooms, including 12 suites and the brasserie style Looking Glass restaurant, complete with an open kitchen.
More yellow lines
near rugby stadium?
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs are planning to introduce more parking restrictions in residential streets near Warrington Wolves? Halliwell Jones Stadium.
They will result in additional double yellow lines, banning parking at any time, in St Peter?s Way.
Residents have expressed concern about hazardous parking on St Peter?s Way by drivers visiting the stadium and the adjoining Tesco store.
A consultation exercise was carried out among residents and the proposed restrictions are said to provide the most practical way of removing obstructive parking in the area.
Anyone who wishes to object to the proposals must do so in writing to borough solicitor Howard Norris, by January 12, specifying the grounds on which the objections are made.
